$20 million power upgrade for Townsville

Ergon Energy is planning to build a new $20 million electricity substation at Belgian Gardens to keep pace with the fast growing demand for power in Townsville.

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said a new substation was essential to meet Townsville’s growing need for power into the future.

“Townsville is booming,” Mr Wilson said.

“A significant population growth means we have to increase the capacity of our power network.

“The proposed substation is an investment in the future of Townsville.

“It will make sure Ergon Energy will meet the growing demand for power,” he said.

Mr Wilson said Ergon Energy has completed preliminary designs for a substation on land that it owns in Fry Street Belgian Gardens.

“A new substation will eventually supply power to approximately 5,000 residential and commercials customers at Belgian Gardens, Pallarenda, Rowes Bay, Castle Hill, parts of North Ward and Garbutt.

“Demand for power in these suburbs has grown at around 4% a year over the last 6 years and is forecast to continue at this pace into the future.

“The substation will also allow for Ergon Energy to supply a third submarine cable when required to meet Magnetic Island’s future demand for power.

“The substation will be located a reasonable distance away from residential properties and is intended to have minimal impact on the local environment.

“It will consist of a modern brick building with appropriate landscaping that is designed to complement the surrounding properties,” he said.

Ergon Energy will communicate its plans for the proposed substation with owners and users of neighbouring properties and will address issues they raise.

Construction of the substation is expected to start in July and it should be operational in late 2008 to meet the summer demand for power.

Ergon Energy hoped to submit its final proposal to Townsville City Council this month.

Ergon Energy is delivering significant upgrades to its vast regional Queensland network through a record capital expenditure program of more than $700 million this year.

Ergon Energy’s vast electricity network is one of the largest of its kind operated by a single distributor in the western world.

The network comprises more than 150,000 kilometres of electricity line, about 1 million power poles and 70,000 substations and extends from Birdsville in south west Queensland to Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, over more than 1 million square kilometres or six times the size of Victoria.

With an asset base of $6.7 billion and more than 4,000 employees, it distributes electricity to around 600,000 regional Queensland customers.

Media inquiries: Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332