$236m transmission upgrade completed for NSW, QLD

The critical upgrade of the Queensland to New South Wales Interconnector (QNI) has been completed, with the $236 million project allowing more energy to transfer reliably between the two states and the ACT as required, as well as helping to reduce energy costs for households.

The project, completed by Transgrid, is part of Australian Energy Market Operator’s Integrated System Plan (ISP) and is set to reduce constraints on the New South Wales transmission network which has suffered from energy shortfalls and rising energy costs.

The upgraded QNI allows 460MW more power to be transferred into Queensland and 190MW more into New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory when needed.

Transgrid CEO, Brett Redman, said the interconnector upgrade has come in on time and on budget and will now make a significant difference to the National Electricity Market.

“QNI is the first ISP project we have delivered and it is a critical piece of infrastructure to support Australia’s energy transition,” Mr Redman said.

“Transgrid is leaning into the acceleration of the energy transition by building the major projects which will enable the integration of renewables, increase competition among generators, drive down electricity prices and support the decarbonisation of Australia’s economy.

“I’d like to thank the New South Wales and Commonwealth Governments for their support in delivering this crucial project, which will form part of the backbone of the future energy system.”

The QNI upgrade involved a range of works including: » Upgrading 300km of transmission lines » Replacing 58 towers between Tamworth, Muswellbrook and

Liddell power stations » Upgrading substations at Armidale, Dumaresq, Muswellbrook and Tamworth

As part of construction new taller pole structures were put in place to enable the transmission of more energy as new generation comes online.

Technology was also installed at multiple substations to strengthen the transmission network including new capacitor banks, Static Volt Amp Reactive compensators (SVC), transformers and 330kV switch bays. The capacitor banks provide additional reactive power, while the SVC regulates the reactive power on the grid to keep it stable.

Approximately 150 jobs were created during the project and Transgrid provided community grants to support the work of local not-for-profit groups along the project route.

Transgrid CEO Brett Redman and NSW Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean.