Powerlink, the Queensland transmission operator, has energised the new 275kV substation which will connect the Coopers Gap Wind Farm to the electricity grid and nine million Australian energy consumers.
Queensland Energy Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham, said the substation’s completion was a major milestone for the project and for Queensland’s renewable energy generation mix.
“Queensland has led the way with large-scale solar farm development, but ongoing work at the Coopers Gap Wind Farm highlights the expansion of wind power.”
Coopers Gap will be one of Australia’s largest wind farms, and is expected to create up to 200 jobs during its construction. The Powerlink grid connection has supported 52 jobs.
The 123 wind turbines are expected to be installed and generating power later this year, and the substation will then step up its generation of voltage from 33kV to 275kV.
The substation will effectively deliver clean energy produced in Queensland to the National Electricity Market.
Powerlink Acting Chief Executive, Kevin Kehl, said Powerlink was proud to play a key role in connecting one of Australia’s largest wind farms to the electricity grid.
The Coopers Gap Wind Farm is being developed by the Powering Australian Renewables Fund (PARF), a partnership between AGL Energy Limited and Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC).
