ElectraNet project on Eyre Peninsula to cost $290m – or $1/year for SA households
Eyre Peninsula has long had reliability issues with electricity because of its ageing infrastructure. ElectraNet wants to fix it, at a cost of $1/year for SA households.
SA News
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It’s a dollar-a-year deal on household bills to fix power supply on the Eyre Peninsula, transmission company ElectraNet says.
In an application to replace the backbone of electricity supply in the peninsula, ElectraNet says the project would cost about $290 million.
It would improve power reliability while avoiding the cost of upgrading the existing line and paying for ongoing extra generation, ElectraNet chief executive Steve Masters said.
“We have ensured that the project can be delivered as efficiently as possible for all electricity customers, with its cost adding about $1 annually to a ‘typical’ residential power bill,” Mr Masters said.
“This project is expected to create numerous local jobs and boost the regional economy during construction as well as the ongoing benefits that come with a more reliable power supply.”
The application has been made to the Australian Energy Regulator which must agree to the costings.
In April last year, the regulator agreed the project passed the test of being a necessary investment. It involves constructing a new double-circuit line from Cultana to Yadnarie initially energised at 132kV, but capable of being operated at 275kV in the future if required, and a new 132kV double-circuit line from Yadnarie to Port Lincoln.
Over the past year, ElectraNet has refined its proposal, which resulted in the $290 million cost estimate and an increase on the impact on residential bills from 10c/year to $1/year.
The project also has been put to the State Commission Assessment Panel.
ElectraNet has awarded an early contract on the project to Downer Utilities Australia.
Completion of the project has been revised by a year to December 2022.
ElectraNet hopes the regulator will make a decision by August, with construction to start in April next year, supporting about 150 jobs.