Wellington and Surrounds: Network Upgrade

In parts of Dubbo and the surrounding communities, we're making some big upgrades to our high voltage electricity network which supports homes, businesses, industry and the mining sector - from Wellington through Dubbo to Cobar and beyond. This will help us keep providing you with a safe, reliable, and resilient power supply. It will also allow us to connect new loads and renewable energy sources to the network.

One of the major changes you'll notice is the replacement of some of our existing timber and concrete power poles. The new poles will be taller and made of steel, meaning they’ll look different to the poles that you see now. We'll also be stringing new overhead wires. These significant visual changes are part of our efforts to improve the network.

Our local Essential Energy teams, along with contractors, traffic controllers, and specialists, will be carrying out these major works. We're working in many locations and will do our best to minimise disruptions to the community. Over the next 12 months, you might experience some power outages, general construction activities, and occasional road closures - we’ll have traffic control in place. Customers impacted by power outages will receive prior notification.

Please follow along here for all the latest news, project updates and information.

Update on Construction: Geurie Energy Hub to Maryvale Solar Farm

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What is happening
Essential Energy is building a new high‑voltage powerline between Geurie Zone Sub Station and the Maryvale Solar Farm from May-Dec 2026.
Once built, this powerline will connect the solar farm to the electricity network so the power it generates can be safely carried to homes and businesses across the region.
Why this work is needed
This powerline:
allows electricity from Maryvale Solar Farm to enter the network
supports renewable energy in the Central West
helps strengthen reliability of the local electricity system
Where the works will occur
The powerline will be built along a new corridor between Geurie Zone. Substation and the Maryvale Solar Farm
It crosses privately owned rural land, as well as areas near existing roads and infrastructure, including the Mitchell Highway
Landowners directly affected by the route are aware of this construction and have been consulted for some time.
What will the new poles look like
The new poles will consist of some single steel poles and some concrete ones, approximately 30ms in height.
When new galvanised steel power poles are installed, their shiny surface can cause temporary glare. Natural dulling occurs over time as they are exposed to sunlight, rain, and wind
What construction will involve
During construction, nearby residents may notice:
survey and site access vehicles
construction crews accessing paddocks or existing tracks
construction of steel and concrete footings
installation of steel and concrete poles
stringing of powerlines between poles
periods of increased traffic and reduced speeds at times on local roads and the Mitchell Highway
Possible outages for customers between July and October 2026. Essential Energy will contact impacted customers ahead of time.
Work will be staged so that not all areas are active at once. Some noise and dust are expected from construction activities. We’ll work to minimise this wherever possible.
Works will be from 6.30am-6.30pm Monday – Saturday
For further information on Essential Energy's Review of Environmental Factors (REF), please go to: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/part-5/9g7-132kv-overhead-powerline-geurie-13211kv-zone-substation-maryvale-solar-farm-substation
What is happening
Essential Energy is building a new high‑voltage powerline between Geurie Zone Sub Station and the Maryvale Solar Farm from May-Dec 2026.
Once built, this powerline will connect the solar farm to the electricity network so the power it generates can be safely carried to homes and businesses across the region.
Why this work is needed
This powerline:
allows electricity from Maryvale Solar Farm to enter the network
supports renewable energy in the Central West
helps strengthen reliability of the local electricity system
Where the works will occur
The powerline will be built along a new corridor between Geurie Zone. Substation and the Maryvale Solar Farm
It crosses privately owned rural land, as well as areas near existing roads and infrastructure, including the Mitchell Highway
Landowners directly affected by the route are aware of this construction and have been consulted for some time.
What will the new poles look like
The new poles will consist of some single steel poles and some concrete ones, approximately 30ms in height.
When new galvanised steel power poles are installed, their shiny surface can cause temporary glare. Natural dulling occurs over time as they are exposed to sunlight, rain, and wind
What construction will involve
During construction, nearby residents may notice:
survey and site access vehicles
construction crews accessing paddocks or existing tracks
construction of steel and concrete footings
installation of steel and concrete poles
stringing of powerlines between poles
periods of increased traffic and reduced speeds at times on local roads and the Mitchell Highway
Possible outages for customers between July and October 2026. Essential Energy will contact impacted customers ahead of time.
Work will be staged so that not all areas are active at once. Some noise and dust are expected from construction activities. We’ll work to minimise this wherever possible.
Works will be from 6.30am-6.30pm Monday – Saturday
For further information on Essential Energy's Review of Environmental Factors (REF), please go to: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/part-5/9g7-132kv-overhead-powerline-geurie-13211kv-zone-substation-maryvale-solar-farm-substation
Here's what you can expect the new poles to look like

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Steel poles will be used to replace existing concrete poles and in rural areas, the H-pole structures, to support the upgraded network.
The final pole design will depend on local site conditions, engineering requirements and environmental considerations. Most poles are expected to be between 28 and 34 metres high, and pole locations, heights and foundation designs will be confirmed following:
survey works
geotechnical investigations
environmental assessments
detailed engineering design.
Typically, the project will use dual-circuit 132kV structures, with concrete footings, strung on both sides of the pole, as pictured below.
Steel poles will be used to replace existing concrete poles and in rural areas, the H-pole structures, to support the upgraded network.
The final pole design will depend on local site conditions, engineering requirements and environmental considerations. Most poles are expected to be between 28 and 34 metres high, and pole locations, heights and foundation designs will be confirmed following:
survey works
geotechnical investigations
environmental assessments
detailed engineering design.
Typically, the project will use dual-circuit 132kV structures, with concrete footings, strung on both sides of the pole, as pictured below.
Some of the equipment we'll be using

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Prime movers/Semi trailers
Drilling rigs
Cranes
Elevated Work Platforms
Excavators/Backhoes
Stringing equipment
Pole bores
Traffic signs
Temporary fencing
Prime movers/Semi trailers
Drilling rigs
Cranes
Elevated Work Platforms
Excavators/Backhoes
Stringing equipment
Pole bores
Traffic signs
Temporary fencing
Upcoming Works and Community Drop-In Sessions| Wellington to Dubbo

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This article has been archived
What is happening

EE staff and contractors will be involved in land surveys, geo-technical investigations (including ecological and cultural heritage studies) on both sides of the Mitchell Highway between Wellington and Dubbo

Once design is approved, construction will commence between Wellington and Geurie (South-Western side of the highway) in August 2026

Consultation with affected landowners, community groups and key stakeholders has commenced and will continue throughout these works

During Site Investigations and Construction

You’ll see a range of machinery and equipment, including drill rigs, trucks, excavators and cranes being used. There’ll also be elevated work platforms/cherry pickers in operation and equipment used to string wires between power poles.

Some noise and dust are expected from construction activities. We’ll work to minimise this wherever possible.

There’ll be an increase in vehicle activity while crews are on site. Traffic management will be in place to maintain access for residents and provide safety of the public and workers.

For safety reasons, there will be times where power will need to be temporarily interrupted while the work is completed. Residents affected by planned outages will receive Essential Energy's standard outage notification advising the dates and times of outages affecting them, closer to the outage dates.

When new galvanised steel power poles are installed, their shiny surface can cause temporary glare. Natural dulling occurs over time as they are exposed to sunlight, rain, and wind.

To keep the network safe and maintain reliability, we’ll be working with local councils and landholders to manage or remove vegetation, and replace where appropriate.

Learn More and Have Your Say

To keep you informed and hear your feedback, we’d like to offer you three opportunities to connect with our team and discuss the works at our upcoming community drop-in sessions:

Tuesday 17^th March: 5-8pm at Wongarbon CWA Rooms,

Wednesday 18^th March: 5-8pm at Geurie Bowling Club

Thursday 19^th March: 5-7pm at NEW VENUE: Western Plains Cultural Centre, 76 Wingewarra Street, Dubbo

Please use this form to register your attendance, in case of any last minute schedule or location changes.
What is happening

EE staff and contractors will be involved in land surveys, geo-technical investigations (including ecological and cultural heritage studies) on both sides of the Mitchell Highway between Wellington and Dubbo

Once design is approved, construction will commence between Wellington and Geurie (South-Western side of the highway) in August 2026

Consultation with affected landowners, community groups and key stakeholders has commenced and will continue throughout these works

During Site Investigations and Construction

You’ll see a range of machinery and equipment, including drill rigs, trucks, excavators and cranes being used. There’ll also be elevated work platforms/cherry pickers in operation and equipment used to string wires between power poles.

Some noise and dust are expected from construction activities. We’ll work to minimise this wherever possible.

There’ll be an increase in vehicle activity while crews are on site. Traffic management will be in place to maintain access for residents and provide safety of the public and workers.

For safety reasons, there will be times where power will need to be temporarily interrupted while the work is completed. Residents affected by planned outages will receive Essential Energy's standard outage notification advising the dates and times of outages affecting them, closer to the outage dates.

When new galvanised steel power poles are installed, their shiny surface can cause temporary glare. Natural dulling occurs over time as they are exposed to sunlight, rain, and wind.

To keep the network safe and maintain reliability, we’ll be working with local councils and landholders to manage or remove vegetation, and replace where appropriate.

Learn More and Have Your Say

To keep you informed and hear your feedback, we’d like to offer you three opportunities to connect with our team and discuss the works at our upcoming community drop-in sessions:

Tuesday 17^th March: 5-8pm at Wongarbon CWA Rooms,

Wednesday 18^th March: 5-8pm at Geurie Bowling Club

Thursday 19^th March: 5-7pm at NEW VENUE: Western Plains Cultural Centre, 76 Wingewarra Street, Dubbo

Please use this form to register your attendance, in case of any last minute schedule or location changes.