Power upgrade for Mount Isa

A $2 million power upgrade for Mount Isa will deliver increased capacity and improve reliability of supply to the city’s central business district, Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

Mr Wilson said work started this week on a project to replace 27 wooden power poles with concrete poles and new hardware over the next eight weeks.

“Demand for power in Mount Isa is forecast to increase by 8 percent per year in the future reflecting a buoyant economy resulting from the mining boom,” he said

“As part of this project, Ergon Energy will also install a new dedicated ‘express’ 11,000 volt powerline into the CBD to increase capacity to meet the growing demand for power from this area.

“The express powerline will improve Ergon Energy‘s ability not only to increase capacity to the CBD but improve reliability of supply to the area as well.”

Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said maintaining a strong electricity supply was essential to keep pace with the growth in the city.

“The resources boom is providing jobs and job security for workers in the North West, but we need to maintain our focus on the future,” Mrs Kiernan said.

“We’ve got a reliable and secure electricity supply now, but our growth shows no sign of slowing down. Reinforcing essential infrastructure such as electricity supply is vital.”

The electricity upgrade project will also include the installation of new pole mounted transformers, streetlights, powerlines and associated electrical hardware.

Specialist crews have started work installing new power poles along Transmission Street adjacent to Ergon Energy’s Duchess Road Substation to Isa Street, adjacent to the Telstra Exchange.

“New concrete poles will be stood first and strung with new powerlines and associated hardware. The old poles and wires will then be removed and the new powerlines energised to supply customers,” he said.

The project is expected to be finished in June.

Mr Wilson said the project would result in interruptions to some customers’ power supply for short periods.

Ergon Energy would aim is to minimise the impact of interruptions and customers will be notified well in advance in writing of the date and the estimated start and finish times of planned interruptions, he said.

Where planned interruptions impact upon commercial customers in the CBD, Ergon will install diesel generators as required to supply temporary power.

The Mount Isa power upgrade is just one of many projects being undertaken across North Queensland this financial year as part of Ergon Energy’s $83 million capital works program.

Media inquiries: Minister’s office Caroline Kaurila 3224 7332