TransGrid, the NSW transmission network operator, today welcomed the discovery of a major gas deposit in Casino by Metgasco.
“TransGrid was made aware of the discovery earlier this week and we would like to congratulate Metgasco on their significant find,” said Mr Garrie Chubb, Manager of
Network Planning at TransGrid.
Despite the discovery of the major gas deposit, TransGrid will be continuing to progress its Far North NSW Transmission Line Project in order to meet rising energy demand on the Far North Coast forecast by 2012.
“TransGrid has been in talks with Metgasco over the last few years and we’re well aware of their projects in the Casino area. However, Metgasco’s current power station proposal at Casino is only a third of the size necessary to ensure a reliable supply of electricity to the Far North Coast post 2012,” said Mr Chubb.
"Despite Metgasco’s new discovery, TransGrid needs to continue to move forward with our project to ensure the people of Far North NSW continue to have a reliable power supply into the future," he said.
TransGrid as a transmission network operator is essentially an electricity transport company. In accordance with the National Electricity Law and its rules TransGrid is obliged to move energy from where it is generated to when it is needed regardless of whether the source is gas, coal or wind.
“In recent years, TransGrid has connected wind generators like Capital Wind Farm, the largest wind farm built in NSW, as well as gas fired generation at Uranquinty and Tallawarra,” said Mr Chubb.
“There’s no doubt that the recent find of the gas deposit is great news for the people at Metgasco,” he said.
TransGrid consulted with members of the electricity industry during 2008 and 2009 before proceeding with plans to upgrade the electricity transmission network between Bonshaw and Lismore.
“TransGrid has a responsibility to our customers in NSW and the ACT to keep the lights on, and when assessing alternatives for any transmission line project, we require a high degree of certainty from all proposals, including generation,” said Mr Chubb.
“That degree of certainty was not provided by any alternatives proposed for our Far North NSW Project,” he said.
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