FAQs
What's happening?
Essential Energy is building electricity infrastructure to meet the needs of customers of the new South Jerrabomberra development. To service the local community, Essential Energy plans to construct a new 132kV powerline and new zone substation. The project involves constructing approximately 5.5 kilometres of overhead powerline consisting of some 42 power poles, averaging 22 meters in height and 600 metres of underground powerline.
How will the community benefit?
The development involves the creation of 1,500 residential housing lots, a business park, industrial estate, Innovation Precinct, Regional Sports Complex, Intermodal Transport Hub and a new High School. Additionally, the new powerline and substation will strengthen our existing electricity network and increase its capacity which will help support future electricity connections. The project will also better position Essential Energy to meet our customers’ future electricity needs. As technologies such as solar and electric vehicles develop, this project will help ensure our customers' future access. The South Jerrabomberra development will allow thousands of new customers to connect to Essential Energy’s network, which will ultimately contribute to reducing the cost of electricity prices for all customers.
Where will the proposed powerline and zone substation be located?
To avoid powerlines being located on landowners’ properties, Essential Energy has identified a section of the non-operational Queanbeyan to Bombala rail line as the preferred location for the new powerline.
Construction will involve extending the 132kV powerline from TransGrid’s Queanbeyan Bulk Supply Point located in Oaks Estate, through the non-operational rail corridor and connecting to the new zone substation located in South Poplars’ Innovation Precinct.
Further detailed assessments for the powerline are currently being undertaken. When complete, more detailed maps will be uploaded.
How will the project support renewable energy?
The project will better position Essential Energy to meet our customers’ future electricity needs. As technologies such as solar and electric vehicles develop, this project will help ensure our customer’s future access.