Powerlink has published a Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) to maintain reliability of supply to its Mansfield site.
Two 11kV underground cables, two auxiliary transformers, and two station service transformers connect Belmont Substation to the Mansfield site. The two 11kV cables are original cables from 1971 that have been repaired after previously suffering significant damage, and have reached the end of their economic life. Both auxiliary transformers are over forty years old, and are not compatible with modern cable termination technology. The two station services transformers are also at the end of their technical life. The condition of the underground cables and associated transformers present a range of safety, reliability of supply and compliance risks, requiring Powerlink to take action.
The PACR identifies replacement of the two 11kV cables between Belmont Substation and Mansfield, and associated transformers, as the preferred option. The indicative capital cost of the RIT-T project for the preferred option is $14.8 million in 2023/24 prices.
In the context of engagement activities with customers and the general community, Powerlink has assessed this RIT-T project as ‘minor’ on the RIT-T stakeholder engagement matrix.
A copy of the PSCR and PACR are available below: