Preliminary works are underway to prepare for Transgrid’s transmission project EnergyConnect.
These works include building workers’ camps and undertaking numerous studies before construction commences.
Transgrid Executive General Manager of Delivery, Craig Stallan, said, “It’s exciting to see early works underway on EnergyConnect and we are proud to be working with local community representatives to deliver this transformational project.
“Commencing the pre-construction activity is the result of years of planning and demonstrates that we are well on the way to building the grid of tomorrow, which will enable the integration of renewables for a clean energy future, reduce the nation’s carbon emissions and help drive down the cost of wholesale electricity.”
Transgrid and its construction delivery partner SecureEnergy are progressing a 700km section of the 900km project from the South Australian border to the regional energy hub of Wagga Wagga.
The project involves nine different New South Wales Councils and more than 300 stakeholders including a range of road, rail and river users.
The bulk of the pre-construction activities are currently being undertaken on the western alignment, between Wentworth and Buronga. Some preliminary geotechnical activities are being conducted on the eastern section around the proposed camps and laydown areas.
David Whatmough, SecureEnergy Project Director, said, “It’s great to get underway and SecureEnergy is currently completing a number of pre-construction activities on the western alignment before construction begins with many of these works occurring simultaneously.”
The preconstruction activities include:
- Construction of access points to camp and laydown areas
- Geotechnical investigation works
- Undergrounding activities
- Road dilapidation inspections
- Survey works
- Ecological surveys
- Cultural heritage works
Main works are expected to begin on the western alignment in mid-2022, with construction of the camps and laydown areas expected to begin in the final quarter of 2022. The construction of the eastern alignment, (Buronga to Wagga Wagga) is due to commence in 2023.
