Upgrade underway for inner north-western Brisbane power supplies
Upgrade underway for inner north-western Brisbane power supplies
19 October 2012
Energex has commenced a $5 million-plus upgrade of the company’s existing Enoggera substation which will boost power supplies to around 7,500 homes and businesses in the inner north-western Brisbane suburbs.
The project will include an upgrade of the electrical equipment housed within the Cairo Street substation, ensuring optimum power supplies and electricity reliability for the region.
Energex Asset Manager Gary Madigan said the upgrade was required to meet the increasing power needs in the Alderley, Ashgrove, Enoggera, Gaythorne and Mitchelton area.
Mr Madigan said the substation redevelopment was designed to ensure the substation meets the current and future energy demands of the local population.
“Energy use – especially at peak times – in the local area has been rising at levels above national averages for many years and this is forecast to continue,” he said.
“Much of this will be due to the continuing rise in domestic air-conditioning penetration which now stands at close to 75 per cent in the area. Across the Enoggera substation supply area there are around 10,000 air-conditioning systems installed in local homes, and according to the latest Queensland household energy survey this is tipped to rise to 12,600 systems within five years.
“This domestic energy use growth is being supplemented by rising commercial and industrial expansion as well as some new housing developments.”
Energex’s forecasts show peak energy demand in the area is set rise by around 24 per cent by 2020.
During construction there will be some heavy vehicle movements, partial road and footpath closures and safety barriers around work sites.
Mr Madigan thanked the local community for their patience during the upgrades.
Weather permitting, the civil works are expected to be completed by March 2013 and the upgraded substation in operation towards the end of next year.
This project is part of Energex’s commitment to provide a safe, secure and highly reliable, cost effective electricity supply to its customers. The capital works program aims to improve and reinforce electricity supplies across South East Queensland, especially to meet peak electricity demand periods, and to support the increased use of residential solar power and lifestyle enhancing appliances, such as air conditioners and flat screen televisions.
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