Maryborough substation upgrade to power Fraser Coast

Power supply to the booming Fraser Coast region has been boosted with a $12 million upgrade to the Maryborough bulk supply substation.

The project involved replacing 34MVA transformers at the Ergon Energy substation with two new 100MVA transformers.

The substation, near the Showground north of Maryborough, has an existing 90MVA transformer to provide the bulk power supply to 40,000 customers across the Fraser Coast, via 11 zone substations.

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said the upgrade had almost tripled the capacity of power supplies to the Fraser Coast.

“Electricity demand on the Fraser Coast region is forecast to grow by more than 4.5% every year, well into the future. This is one of the highest growth rates in the state,” he said.

“This important project reinforces the backbone of the system that supplies electricity to the Fraser Coast region.

“Importantly, it means peak demand from the region can be met from any two of the three transformers, so this bolsters security of supply for the rapidly growing region.”

Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara said the upgrade was an important part of securing a reliable electricity supply for the long term.

“I thank the local community for their patience during the work. Homes and businesses on the Fraser Coast will be the ultimate beneficiaries of a better, more reliable power supply,” Mr NcNamara said.

Mr Wilson said the upgrade was part of Ergon’s ongoing works program to ensure its network continues to meet the needs of this area both now and into the future.

Work already has started on constructing new high-voltage powerlines from the Maryborough bulk supply point to Nikenbah, where a new substation will be built.

“This line initially will be energised at 66,000 volts, but ultimately will be upgraded to 132,000 volts when Nikenbah becomes a separate bulk supply substation for Hervey Bay,” he said.

Mr Wilson said the power supply came into the Maryborough bulk supply point from the Aramara switching station, which he officially opened in July.

“The $70 million Aramara project, coupled with Powerlink Queensland’s $40 million Teebar Creek substation, provides the additional capacity the network will need in coming years,” he said.

“This major upgrade to the Maryborough bulk supply point is the next step in delivering that increased capacity to Fraser Coast customers.”

Media contact: Minister’s office 3224 7332.