Major boost to Redlands’ power supplies

Electricity supply to more than 3000 homes and businesses in Redland City has been boosted with a $1.7 million upgrade to the Mount Cotton electricity substation, Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

The upgrade at the Energex substation on Mount Cotton Road more than doubles the available electricity capacity to the local community.

Mr Wilson said demand for electricity in Redlands had been growing at around 8 percent a year with new homes and businesses connecting to the local power network in record numbers.

“This upgrade will allow for significant future growth in the Redlands which is in one of the fastest growing regions in Energex’s South East Queensland network,” Mr Wilson said.

“Importantly, the substation upgrade will also provide Energex technicians with greater switching options to restore power faster after unexpected interruptions caused by storms, trees hitting powerlines or damage to overhead wires or underground cables.”

Member for Redlands John English said the upgrade would help ensure the growing demands for power in the region were met in years to come.

“The State Government and Energex are committed to providing a reliable electricity network in the Redlands and throughout the South East Queensland,” Mr English said.

“Importantly, the increased capacity resulting from this upgrade will give the district the means to continue expanding and creating local jobs without placing undue pressure on the electrical network.”

On behalf of Energex, Mr English thanked residents and motorists for their patience while the works were being undertaken.

The works are part of a more than $13 million boost to electricity supplies by Energex in the Redlands area in the past 18 months. Among the other works is the completion a $2.6 million upgrade at the Cleveland substation, the $1.7 million installation of more than 1.2km of underground cables around Raby Bay and the commissioning of a new $7.3 million substation at Birkdale.

Energex is in the middle of a record $4 billion-plus five-year capital expenditure program. In the 2007-08 financial year Energex is investing around $800 million on upgrades to its electricity network while a further $300 million-plus has been set aside to maintain and operate the network – an overall average of more than $3 million a day.

Media Inquiries: Caroline Kaurila 3224 7332.