More than 40 workers including cable jointers and substation technicians recently installed more than 6 km of 33-kV cable between Ausgrid’s Ku-ring-gai sub-transmission substation and its zone substations in St Ives and Lindfield, completing the first stage of a multi-million dollar upgrade of the Sydney north sub-transmission network. Crews have now begun the second stage of the $40 million set of works including the upgrade of the existing 132/33-kV Ku-ring-gai STS and a re-fit of the 33/11 -kV Lindfield zone substation.

Ausgrid General Manager Transmission Trevor Armstrong said the existing Ku-ring-gai STS and Lindfield zone substation had served the local community well for almost 50 years but were now approaching the time for renewal.

“Average annual electricity use across our network has been falling by about 2 per cent a year over the past four years, however, peak demand continues to increase at about 2 per cent a year,” Armstrong said. “In Sydney’s north shore region, peak demand is expected to grow at about 6.5 per cent over the five years to 2014. “The increase in peak demand across our network remains the biggest driver for developing and renewing Sydney’s electricity network. “This package of sub-transmission work in Sydney’s north will create a more flexible network and help meet peak demand.”

Ausgrid crews are expected to complete the upgrade of the Lindfield zone substation in late 2012. Work on the Ku-ring-gai STS is scheduled to begin this year and is expected to be complete in 2014.

The upgraded substations and new sub-transmission cables will help improve the reliability of power supply to more than 45,000 homes and businesses in St Ives, Pymble, Turramurra, Chatswood, Warrawee, Lindfield, Killara, Roseville, Gordon, Ku-ring-gai and Wahroonga.