A renewable energy freeway connecting New South Wales to South Australia

Connecting power grids across three states, Project EnergyConnect (PEC) is the largest transmission project currently under construction in Australia. It is critical in supporting Australia’s energy transition and improving system reliability and security.

Delivered by TransGrid and ElectraNet, Project EnergyConnect is a 900km electricity interconnector, connecting the power grids of South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. The NSW section of PEC from Wagga Wagga in New South Wales to the South Australian border is being delivered by TransGrid who awarded the engineering, construction and procurement contract to SecureEnergy Joint Venture (SEJV). As the lead designer for SEJV, our team delivered the detailed engineering for Buronga Substation and over 500km of 220kV and 330kV transmission lines between the South Australian border and Dinawan in NSW. 

Working collaboratively with SEJV and TransGrid, AECOM is providing multi-disciplinary project and design services, offering expertise from the initial concept though to the delivery of quality-assured design packages for construction and ongoing construction and commissioning support.

While enabling greater connection of renewable energy generators to the network, PEC will also deliver a range of direct benefits for consumers in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria including lowering power prices, improving energy security and stimulating regional economic activity and job creation.

Services:

  • Lead designer delivering detailed engineering for
    • ~500km of 330kV transmission line with ~1,100 steel lattice towers and associated foundations
    • ~25km of 220kV transmission line with 63 steel pole structures and associated foundations
    • 220/330kV Buronga Substation including integration design for two synchronous condensers
  • Tower fabrication design and oversight of destructive testing
  • Design management
  • Safety-in-design
  • Sustanability-in-design incl. reduced total embodied carbon
  • Hazard/risk assessment
  • Quality assurance
  • Special protection and control scheme integration
  • Specialist studies, including electromagnetic field and earthing studies
  • Bill of quantities
  • Construction and commissioning support.