Powerlink to upgrade Mackay substation

Powerlink workers at substation
Image: Powerlink

Powerlink is investing $24 million to upgrade the Mackay substation to secure electricity supply.

The project is expected to take six years and will involve upgrading a transformer, rebuilding switchyards and installing new support systems to improve network performance.

Powerlink chief executive Merryn York said the work on the project would extend the life of the substation at the lowest long-run cost for consumers.

“Rather than undertake a major replacement, our approach is to target specific equipment such as replacing on of the three transformers and upgrading the support systems,” Ms York said.

“as part of our focus on delivering better value for ocnsumers we undertook a review of the project which achieved a $9 million cost reduction while still meeting our statutory reliability standards.

“All works have also been planned to avoid disruptions to supply.”

Minister for energy Mark Bailey said Mackay is a major agricultural and mining hub which relied heavily on a secure energy supply.

“Powerlink’s transmission network plays an important role in powering the Queensland economy, being responsible for providing electricity to almost four million people,” Mr Bailey said.

Previous articleSpain maximising the power of wind
Next articleRescue training for Territory line workers