$30 million-plus boost to power Gold Coast desalination plant
ENERGEX is set to start on substation upgrades and the installation of a new sub-transmission electricity cable for the operation of the Gold Coast desalination plant at Tugun. Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said today that the upgrades would also provide an improved electricity supply for more than 20,000 homes and businesses on the southern end of the Gold Coast.
(Media-Newswire.com) - ENERGEX is set to start on substation upgrades and the installation of a new sub-transmission electricity cable for the operation of the Gold Coast desalination plant at Tugun.
Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said today that the upgrades would also provide an improved electricity supply for more than 20,000 homes and businesses on the southern end of the Gold Coast.
Early next month work will start on stage one of a two-stage process to install underground power cables between ENERGEX’s Burleigh substation in Kortum Drive and the Gold Coast desalination plant at Tugun.
Associated works in the coming 18 months include an expansion of ENERGEX’s substation at Currumbin and upgrades at the existing Burleigh and Palm Beach substations.
Among the civil works associated with the project is the installation of cable conduits under Burleigh Hill to a depth of more than 60 metres. This component alone is expected to take eight months.
Works associated with the project involve excavating, trenching and laying cables under the road. Member for Burleigh, Christine Smith welcomed the expansion saying it would deliver long term benefits to homes and businesses in the area. “There’ll be plenty of building activity happening. I thank people in advance for their patience and understanding while work is underway,” Ms Smith said. “ENERGEX has advised that as a precaution, safety barriers will be installed around the works site and safety controllers will direct traffic. “I’ve also been given an assurance by ENERGEX that they will take all reasonable measures to lessen the impact on the community. It’s important work and the upgrade is crucial to the local power network,” she said. The design and route for the second stage of the project, from the Currumbin substation to the desalination plant at Tugun, is being finalised.
The route is expected to follow the proposed water pipeline.
In January, ENERGEX started work on a 33,000 volt cable from Coolangatta Road, down Boyd Street at Tugun which is designed to provide electricity for the construction of the desalination plant site.
Media Inquiries: Minister’s Office Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819
ENERGEX Office Hours ( 07 ) 3407 4420 or After Hours ( 07 ) 3407 5191
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