Another link in the chain is in place for the massive Coopers Gap Wind Farm near Kingaroy, with the nearby substation ready and waiting.
Publicly-owned transmission operator Powerlink has energised the new 275kV substation that will connect one of Australia’s largest wind farms to the electricity grid and 9 million Australian energy users.
Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the substation’s completion was a major milestone for the project and for Queensland’s renewable energy generation mix.
“Cooper’s Gap will generate up to 440MW of renewable energy – the equivalent of powering a city the size of Ipswich,” he said.
“Queensland has led the way with large-scale solar farm development, but ongoing work at the Coopers Gap Wind Farm highlights the expansion of wind power.
“The economic benefits of large-scale renewable projects are far-reaching.
“Coopers Gap is just one of more than $5 billion worth of large-scale renewable energy projects that are operational, committed or underway in Queensland, creating more than 4600.
“Coopers Gap will create up to 200 jobs during construction, while Powerlink’s grid connection works supported 52 jobs.”
Once the 23 wind turbines are installed and generating power later this year, the substation will step up the voltage generated from 33kV to 275kV.
This process enables electricity to be efficiently transported via Powerlink’s existing Western Downs to Halys transmission line and into the statewide transmission network. The substation effectively delivers clean energy produced in Queensland to the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Electricity Market.
Powerlink Acting Chief Executive Kevin Kehl said Powerlink was proud to play a key role in connecting one of Australia’s largest wind farms to the electricity grid.
