Gold Coast homes and businesses benefit from $10 million power boost

Homes and businesses in almost a dozen Gold Coast suburbs will benefit from the completion of a multi-stage $10 million project to double the capacity of the ENERGEX substation in Nerang.

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said more than 15,000 homes and businesses in parts of Advancetown, Beechmont, Clagiraba, Gilston, Lower Beechmont, Mount Nathan, Nerang, Ashmore, Carrara, Highland Park and Worongary would directly benefit from the major power boost.

“The upgraded substation will provide ENERGEX technicians with more switching options to restore power faster should unexpected damage occur to the network,” Mr Wilson said.

“During the past couple of years two new transformers have been installed in the Nerang substation in Cayuga Street, replacing two smaller transformers.

“The substation boost will help ENERGEX meet current and future power demand in an area which has risen by more than 30% in the past five years,” he said.

State Member for Gaven Phil Gray said the demand has been a result of many factors including significant local commercial and domestic growth, affordable home air-conditioning, and the fact that households and businesses are using far more electricity than five years ago.

“The Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing parts of ENERGEX’s South East Queensland distribution area with an average of almost 150 new houses, units and commercial premises connecting to the local electricity network every week,” Mr Gray said.

“To meet this massive growth in the past three years ENERGEX has spent more than $330 million upgrading the region’s electricity network.

“The project is part of a record $4 billion-plus five-year capital expenditure program currently being undertaken by ENERGEX,” he said.

ENERGEX is investing $827 million on upgrades to its electricity network this year while a further $306 million has been set aside to maintain and operate the network – that’s an overall average of more than $3 million a day.

Media inquiries: Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332