The first of more than 800 transmission towers comprising the 365km-long HumeLink project have been constructed, marking a significant milestone for the new transmission line.
The first towers now stand tall at Gregadoo near Wagga Wagga, with 700 personnel working on a project set to unlock the full capacity of Snowy 2.0 and other renewable energy assets in NSW, providing an additional 2200MW of on-demand energy for the grid.
By powering up to three million homes for a week with cheaper and cleaner electricity, HumeLink has the potential to generate more than $1 billion in net benefits for Australian households and businesses. During construction, the project is set to deliver $6.3 billion in direct and indirect investment into local economies.
The transmission line requires more than 52,000 tonnes of structural steel and over 9300km of high-voltage conductor cabling to be installed, creating 1600 construction jobs.
Transgrid delivery partners UGL and CPB Contractors are overseeing HumeLink West, set to extend from the Wagga Wagga substation in the north-west to the future Maragle substation (connecting Snowy 2.0) in the south-east, with the Wondalga interface point in the middle, connecting HumeLink West with HumeLink East.
ACCIONA and Genus are leading the charge on HumeLink East, which extends from Wondalga up to the Bannaby substation near Taralga.
First construction officially commenced on HumeLink in early October, receiving the endorsement of grazier Ken Ikin of Cloverlee Poll Hereford Stud, who will have HumeLink span part of his property.
Ikin said a new transmission line would not interfere with his operations and livelihood.
“It’s a step forward for the future for our grandchildren and children,” Ikin said.
“The existing line was here the day we came to look at the property. It’s been here for a long time. To put another one alongside and to get paid for it is really, you know, there’s a lot of other things to worry about than that.”
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