Ausgrid’s upgrade of its Gwawley Bay zone substation in Sydney’s south will move into its next phase after crews successfully attached new sealing ends near the existing 132-kV Sydney South feeder. Overhead transmission crews recently worked to safely attach three sealing ends to the top of a 29 m transmission UGOH pole at the rear of the substation in Box Road Miranda.

The connection point will allow Ausgrid to T-off supply from its Sydney South to Kurnell feeder as part of the upgrade from a 33/11-kV to 132/11-kV substation. The next stage of the conversion project will involve installing a feeder from Gwawley Bay to the redeveloped 132/33-kV Port Hacking subtransmission substation in Kirrawee.

Crews including Ausgrid apprentices are in the process of installing 132-kV GIS, transformers and 11-kV switchgear within the existing building, with civil crews concurrently constructing a new premise on the southern end of the site. Construction and fit out of the new building is expected to be completed by late 2012.

Ausgrid apprentices, cable jointers and substation technicians will be involved in the two-year project, including the commissioning of 11-kV feeders. Once complete, the onverted Gwawley Bay substation will help supply electricity to about 9,000 customers in parts of Miranda as well as providing additional capacity to help address future load growth.

The redevelopment of the existing 1970s substation will strengthen electricity supply to the surrounding suburbs and help meet the area’s increasing demand for electricity. The project will also provide on-the-job work experience for apprentices completing their four-year apprenticeship with Ausgrid.

The upgrade is part of Ausgrid’s $408 million investment in the Sutherland region’s electricity network over the five years from 2009 to 2014.