Ausgrid has started civil construction on the latest of its 49 new or upgraded zone substations for 2009-2014. Crews have spent the past six months excavating the Croydon Road site in preparation for the new 132/11-kV Croydon zone substation in Sydney’s inner west.

The new substation will replace the nearby 33/11-kV Five Dock substation built in the 1950s and currently servicing about 16,000 homes and business in parts of Ashfield, Leichhardt, Croydon, Canada Bay and Five Dock.

Specialist electrical and civil crews, including substation technicians, cable jointers and Ausgrid apprentices will help install two 50-MVA transformers, six panels of GIS switchgear and 22 panels of 11-kV switchgear on site. Crews have already started the installation of new 11-kV cables connecting the substation to Ausgrid’s existing distribution network.

Subtransmission cables from Ausgrid’s Mason Park subtransmission will help supply the new Croydon substation. New 132-kV cables connecting the substation will be installed in early 2012.

Ausgrid General Manager Transmission, Trevor Armstrong, said the new substation would also help meet the area’s increasing electricity needs. “Demand is growing by about 2.3 per cent every year in the area, due to population growth and residential development,” Armstrong said. “This upgrade will help ensure Ausgrid provides a safe and reliable electricity supply in to the future. About 150 workers such as builders, engineers, substation technicians and cable jointers will have contributed to this project by the time it has finished.” The artist’s rendition shows a view of the completed substation building.

The Five Dock zone substation will be retired upon commissioning of the new Croydon zone substation.