$4.7 million power boost for Gold Coast

More than 20,000 homes and businesses on the Gold Coast will benefit from a $4.7 million upgrade that is currently underway at Energex’s Burleigh Heads substation.

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said the upgrade involves the installation of a new transformer at the substation in Kortum Drive.

“A new transformer will effectively double the electricity capacity available to the area,” Mr Wilson said.

“The works will also provide improved electricity reliability for homes and businesses on the southern end of the Gold Coast.

“The upgrade is designed to cater for future growth and greater demand on power supply in the area,” he said.

Member for Burleigh Christine Smith said more than 20,000 homes and businesses in Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Elanora, Reedy Creek, Varsity Lakes and Tallebudgera would directly benefit from these upgrades.

“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 or dug up,” Mrs Smith said.

“We are experiencing strong growth on the Gold Coast.

“In fact, Energex has forecast growth in power demand to increase at around seven percent a year,” she said.

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