Work is set to begin on the electrical fit out of the new Crows Nest zone substation, with two 50-ton transformers arriving on site this month. Ausgrid General Manager Transmission Trevor Armstrong said the construction of the new substation building was on track to be completed by the end of the month allowing the electrical work to begin.

“The existing Crows Nest substation was built in 1930,” Armstrong said. “It has performed well, but it is now time for much of the equipment to be replaced or upgraded.”

The new substation building is a modern, architect-designed building next door to the existing substation. When commissioned it will supply power to more than 15,000 homes and businesses in parts of Crows Nest, Cammeray, North Sydney, Wollstonecraft, Neutral Bay, Waverton, Naremburn, St Leonards and Cremorne.

“Peak demand for power is growing at about 1.4% a year across the North Shore region. As we replace key substation equipment we are also making sure it has enough capacity to help meet these peaks. We are converting the substation from carrying 33-kV equipment to 132-kV equipment, so it will play an important role in getting electricity to homes and businesses in the area," Armstrong said.

Specialist substation technicians will work at the substation to complete the fit out. This includes the installation of:

• two 50MVA transformers
• 44 control and protection panels; and
• six bays 132-kV gas insulated switchgear that will be delivered in May next year.

“About 150 cable jointers, substation technicians, engineers, builders and other workers will have worked on site by the time the project is complete,” Armstrong said.

Once the electrical fit out is complete at Crows Nest, crews will focus on the installation of replacement underground high voltage cables which will connect the substation to the supply point at Willoughby and onto a new substation at North Sydney. Major works on the substation site will be completed late next year.