Power upgrade due to start in Cleveland area

Energex is investing more than $1.3 million to upgrade the power network in Cleveland’s CBD and commercial areas.

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said the project would include installing 1.2 kilometres of underground cables.

“The cables will run from the substation in Gordon Street, Ormiston along Shore Street West finishing at Channel Street, Cleveland,” Mr Wilson said.

“The cables will provide increased power capacity and will cater for future growth in the central Cleveland area,” he said.

Member for Cleveland Phil Weightman said the upgrade would benefit local homes and businesses.

“Our local area has experienced high levels of growth in the past few years and this is expected to continue,” Mr Weightman said.

“The new cables will make sure that Energex keeps ahead of current and predicted growth demands.

“The project will provide Energex with more options to restore power faster if there is unexpected damage to the network caused by storms, wild weather, vehicles hitting power poles or underground cables being accidentally damaged,” he said.

Energex has a strong focus on installing new electricity works underground where practical.

In the last four years Energex has installed almost 3000 km of new underground electricity cable in south east Queensland – about the equivalent distance of travelling by road from Brisbane to Darwin.

Energex is spending $643 million this year on the electricity network while a further $263 million has been set aside to maintain and operate the network.

Energex supplies electricity to around 2.7 million people in south east Queensland.

The company’s distribution area of 25,000 square kilometres includes almost 50,000km of underground and overhead electricity lines and cables, over half a million power poles, some 40,000 transformers and more than 260,000 street lights.

Media inquiries: Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332