Powerlink has completed construction of the tallest ever transmission towers on its network as part of works to connect the Kaban Green Power Hub to the electricity grid.
Powerlink Chief Executive Paul Simshauser said Neoen’s 157MW Kaban Green Power Hub was currently being built as the cornerstone project of the state’s first Queensland Renewable Energy Zone (QREZ).
“The Northern QREZ involves delivering both the Kaban Green Power Hub and upgrading the capacity of the existing coastal transmission network between Townsville and Cairns,” Mr Simshauser said.
“This will strengthen the transmission network’s resiliency, security and reliability, and unlock an additional 500MW of capacity for connecting additional renewable energy projects in Far North Queensland.
“The Kaban Green Power Hub is a major boost for the area, supporting 250 jobs and delivering cleaner power to 100,000 Queensland homes.
“CleanCo will use 100 per cent of the electricity produced at the wind farm to support commercial and industrial customers across Queensland to meet their renewable energy goals.”
Mr Simshauser said building the three transmission towers required to connect the Kaban Green Power Hub to the electricity grid was no easy feat.
“Soaring an impressive 85 metres into the air, these towers were assembled on-site using cranes stretching more than 100 metres in height,” Mr Simshauser said.
“This new stretch of transmission line will cross directly over an existing 275kV line, increasing the technical complexity of the project.
“Our specialised crews performed the tower assembly work with absolute precision, with the two tallest towers each comprising 75 tonnes of steel atop 20 cubic metres of concrete foundations, extending up to six metres underground.
“Work is now underway to complete stringing of the newly-built towers, which involves threading and tensioning the powerline wires between the towers using a drone.
“We’ve had around 40 workers on-site each day to complete these highly specialised activities and are engaging local suppliers wherever possible.
“We appointed Ravensoe businesses Dempsey Cranes and Construction for tower foundation work and Kidner Contracting for concrete supplies. Cairns-based Crossy's Crane Hire assisted with tower assembly work while The Fence Shop provided security fencing.
“The Kaban Green Power Hub Connection Project is part of $700 million worth of work Powerlink is undertaking on North Queensland’s transmission network over the next five years, connecting customers to a world-class energy future.”
CleanCo Chair Jacqui Walters said the project was an important part of CleanCo’s growth strategy in Queensland.
“We are simultaneously growing our customer base and our access to energy so that we can provide tailored solutions to our large-scale commercial and industrial customers, supporting them to decarbonise,” Ms Walters said.
“With CleanCo taking 100 per cent of the energy from this project, it will be a major boost to our commitment to support the entry of 1,400MW of new renewable energy into the market by 2025.”
Neoen Managing Director Louis de Sambucy congratulated Powerlink for completing the transmission towers at Kaban, and thanked the Powerlink team for delivering this critical component and for their continued commitment to the project.
“The Neoen team, working closely with Vestas, are fully mobilised to deliver the project on time and in a safe and highly professional manner,” Mr de Sambucy said.
“Kaban will bring much needed additional clean energy to the network, with first generation targeted ahead of next summer.
“We are proud of Kaban’s foundational role in the Northern QREZ and we’d like to thank Powerlink, CleanCo and the Queensland Government for continuing to place their trust in us.”
Construction of Powerlink’s Kaban Green Power Hub Connection Project is expected to be complete by October 2022, weather dependent.
