Transgrid has published the Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PSCR) for Maintaining safe and reliable operation of Sydney East, Wagga 132 kV, and Dapto substations. Publication of this PACR represents the last step in the Regulatory Test for Transmission (RIT-T) process and follows the Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) published in April 2025.
Substation gantries are essential for the safe and reliable operation of the whole substation. The gantries at the Sydney East, Wagga 132 kV, and Dapto substations display evidence of corrosion, which, if unaddressed, may result in the failure of the steelwork, connection bolts, holding down bolts, or baseplates. The failure of the gantries may in-turn result in a loss of supply to end consumers, injury to staff and damage to other critical substation equipment. These events may also affect more than one system element at the same time, which would require significant time to rectify.
Condition assessments performed through our routine maintenance program has shown degradation in the condition of these gantries which will increase their risk of failure. Without intervention, other than ongoing business-as-usual maintenance, the assets are expected to deteriorate further and more rapidly. This will increase the risk of supply interruptions to our customers as well as safety, environmental and financial consequences.
Transgrid published the PSCR for maintaining safe and reliable operation of Sydney East, Wagga 132 kV, and Dapto substations in April 2025. In the PSCR, Transgrid presented one credible network option that would meet the identified need from a technical, commercial, and project delivery perspective.
No submissions received in response to the PSCR and no additional credible options have been identified.
The assessment in this PACR finds that Option 1 (Replace the gantries and remediate holding down bolts which have reached end of life) remains the preferred option to meet the identified need. The estimated capital cost of Option 1 is $27.93m (2024-25).
In accordance with the requirements of the Rules, a summary of the Project Assessment Conclusions Report is made available on the AEMO website. A copy of the PACR can be obtained from Transgrid’s website or by emailing [email protected].