General News
21 December, 2023
Construction begins on Turn-In project
CONSTRUCTION began this month on a project which will support enough enhanced energy generation to power around 80,000 homes.
Energy delivery giant AusNet started construction on the Mortlake Turn-In project earlier this month, with the Connewarren Lane site anticipated to support upgrades to unlock 1.5GW of renewable energy generation.
The project forms part of the state government-backed Victorian Renewable Energy Zones Development Plan, which will see the existing 500kV Tarrone to Moorabool transmission line connect to the Mortlake terminal station.
The existing Mortlake terminal station site will undergo upgrades including a minor extension of the site and tower and foundation strengthening.
AusNet chief executive officer David Smales said the project will improve capacity on the transmission network to enable increased renewable energy generation in Victoria.
“AusNet is pleased to be enabling the energy transition by helping unlock renewable energy, ensuring we have the transmission network needed to harness the sun and wind from the south west of Victoria,” he said.
“This project has a number of benefits, including addressing network constraints, creating jobs, and providing new renewable generation development opportunities in the longer term.”
The upgrade is expected to provide a critical boost to wind farms in the south west which have been impacted by the existing constraints of the transmission network.
There are currently two 500kV transmission lines which run past the Mortlake Terminal Station, but only one connects to the station.
The Mortlake Turn-In project will upgrade the current layout and connect the second 500kV line to the terminal station.
Connecting both circuits at the Mortlake Terminal Station will allow a more balanced sharing of power between the two parallel circuits, making the network more stable.
AusNet has been contracted by the Australian Energy Market Operator to deliver the project along with its construction partner Consolidated Power Projects Australia, as part of the Victorian Government’s Renewable Energy Zone Development Plan.
“We look forward to working with the local community and to procuring local goods and services,” Mr Smales said.
The Victorian Government has set out the need for 25GW of new renewable energy and storage capacity by 2035.
The project is due for completion by the end of 2025.
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