Powerlink has published a Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) to manage voltage levels and transfer capability in North Queensland.
Strathmore Substation is located approximately 165 kilometres (km) south of Townsville in North Queensland and has both 275 kilovolt (kV) and 132kV operating voltages. A 275kV SVC was installed in 2007 to manage voltage levels and increase the transfer capacity to North Queensland.
Planning studies confirm that there is an enduring need for both capacitive and inductive voltage support at Strathmore to manage voltage levels and transfer capability in North Queensland.
The secondary systems associated with the Strathmore SVC are nearing the end of their technical service lives and have become or are becoming obsolete.
Powerlink must therefore take action to avoid the increasing likelihood of loss of power arising from failure of the aging secondary systems equipment at Strathmore Substation.
The PSCR outlines Powerlinkâs proposal to replace the secondary systems in the existing control buildings at each substation by December 2030, with indicative capital costs of $23.5 million in 2025/26 prices.
Submissions on the PSCR are due by 22 October 2026 and should be emailed to [email protected]. More details on how to make a submission are in the PSCR document.
A copy of the PSCR is below.