A small southern New South Wales locality is playing a critical role in the delivery of Australia’s largest transmission project, EnergyConnect.
Bundure in NSW’s Riverina is hosting the new Dinawan substation, which sits at the juncture of new dual circuit transmission lines from Buronga (375km-long and 330kV) and Wagga Wagga (160km-long and 500kV).
Construction of Dinawan is being finalised. With 750 people working on the job, the substation comprises two 120MVAr synchronous condensers – weighing 300 tonnes each – installed in a 60m-long, 1200m² machine hall.
These machines will support voltage stability on the transmission network, providing system resilience services such as inertia, while four shunt reactors and two capacitor banks have been installed to increase power system efficiency and reduce energy losses in the transmission network.
The substation required 275,000 cubic metres of fill to create the bench, equivalent to 27,500 standard tipper truck loads, and 6820 cubic metres of concrete for foundations.
“The Dinawan substation will integrate new solar and wind generation from the NSW Government’s South West Renewable Energy Zone into the National Electricity Market, delivering more affordable and sustainable electricity to households and businesses,” EnergyConnect program director John Burke said.
“The substation will also connect to the proposed new interconnector between NSW and Victoria, VNI West, resulting in greater energy reliability and security for the two states.
“Named after the Wiradjuri people’s word for emu, Dinawan substation is four hectares in size, equivalent to six soccer fields, and home to sophisticated electrical equipment from around the world.”
Now more than 90 per cent complete, EnergyConnect is set to be finished in 2026.
Other milestones include the recent completion of the 15-hectare Buronga substation, along with the upgrade of a 330kV substation at Wagga Wagga.
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