Conpower

Construction has begun on the Mortlake Turn-In project aimed at unlocking 1.5GW of renewable energy capacity, sufficient to power approximately 800,000 households in Victoria. The project involves upgrading the Mortlake Terminal Station to connect a second 500kV transmission line, enhancing network stability by enabling balanced power sharing between parallel circuits. This initiative aligns with the Victorian Government’s target of achieving 25 GW of new renewable energy and storage capacity by 2035. AusNet, in collaboration with Consolidated Power Projects Australia, is executing the project under the Renewable Energy Zone Development Plan, with completion expected by the end of 2025, located 50 kilometers northeast of Warrnambool.

Under the scope of this Project, the Tarrone Terminal Station (TRTS) to Haunted Gully Terminal Station (HGTS) 500kV circuit which currently by-passes MOPS will be turned into a new 500kV Bay (No. 2) at MOPS utilising existing towers. CPP is responsible for the entire design, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning Works associated with the 500kV HGTS-TRTS line cut-in to MOPS including:

• Conduct the design assessments and development of the design reports and drawings with Civil, Structural, Primary, OHL and Secondary disciplines
• 15m Extension of 500kV yard and relocate the terminal station fencing
• Construction of 117 footings for primary equipment
• Construction of new Bay 2 and upgrade of existing Bay 3 with the installation of all primary equipment including 4x 500kV Live Tank Circuit Breakers (LTCB) sets, 7x Remote Operated Isolator (ROI) sets, 2x CVTs, 4x CTs, 32x PIs and Rigid Busbar
• Extension of 500kV BUS No.1 and BUS No.2
• Extension of 2x Gantry Structure
• Strengthening of existing towers 335A, 335R, 336A, 336R and gantry
• Stringing of the new conductor and a ground wire for a total of five (5) spans to existing towers
• Supply and Installation of 10x Protection & Control Panels
• Supply and Installation of approximately 68km of LV cables
• Conduct the pre-commissioning and commissioning testing
• Supply and Install Tower Signage for 95km transmission lines