$91 million power boost to south west Brisbane and Ipswich

A joint Powerlink and ENERGEX $91 million project to help reinforce electricity supply to the South West Brisbane and Ipswich areas was recently finished with the commissioning of a new high voltage substation at Algester.

Minister for Mines and Energy, Geoff Wilson, said the new substation was the third new substation which had been constructed recently as part of a strategic plan to underpin economic and population growth in the South West Brisbane area.

“This project alone will boost capacity to meet the growth in a 280 square km area bordered by Runcorn in the north, Browns Plains to the south and Tivoli and Raceview to the west providing more than 50,000 people in the area with improved electricity supply.

“The South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan has identified that electricity consumption in south-east Queensland is forecast to increase at about 3.5% a year over the next 10 years,” Mr Wilson said

“The growth in power demand has been a result of energy-intensive industrial development and rapid population growth.

“The demand for electricity is particularly strong in the South West Brisbane and Ipswich areas where electricity demand has been growing at around 8% a year in recent years.

“Powerlink and ENERGEX’s regular planning processes recognised well in advance that new electricity infrastructure would be needed to maintain growth.

“They have been working together since 2004 to establish three new substations at Algester, Sumner and Goodna.

“Together with planned future infrastructure, the substations will support this growth well into the future,” he said.

Powerlink Chief Operating Officer Simon Bartlett said the completion of the $91 million project could not have been achieved without the close working relationship between Powerlink and ENERGEX.

“The development of these three major new substations was one of the biggest projects that Powerlink and ENERGEX have undertaken together,” Mr Bartlett said.

“It required a great deal of planning and coordination, and showcases the focus and dedication of the Powerlink and ENERGEX teams who have contributed to the success of these projects.

“Powerlink would also like to thank the staff from its construction contractor, United Group Infrastructure, who performed the day-to-day work on the ground. We also wish to thank local communities and our neighbours for their cooperation during the construction of these three substations.”

ENERGEX Chief Executive Officer, Terry Effeney said the Brisbane-Ipswich corridor area was one of the fastest growing parts of ENERGEX’s South East Queensland distribution area with dozens of new houses and units and commercial premises connecting to the local electricity network every week.

“And there is no question that given current and projected trends, the surging local power demand will continue to increase at rates above regional and national averages,” said Mr Effeney.

Media inquiries: Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332