Powering Sydney's Future

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Powering Sydney’s Future

A reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity supply is essential to supporting Sydney’s growth. Parts of the current transmission and electricity supply network were built in the 1960s and 1970s and are approaching the end of their serviceable life. Additionally, increased electricity demand means that residents and businesses in inner Sydney are becoming more vulnerable to blackouts or loss of electricity supply.

Why do we need Powering Sydney’s Future?

Inner Sydney is one of the most critical sections of the electricity network. Through the Powering Sydney’s Future project, TransGrid is working to secure reliable electricity supply through economically viable solutions, with minimal community and environmental impacts.

Global cable specialist Taihan and its civil partner Garde started early investigation works on TransGrid’s Powering Sydney’s Future Project in March 2020. These works will inform the final design of the project.

Read our latest media release here.

What is Powering Sydney’s Future?

Installing a new 20km 330kV underground cable between TransGrid’s substation at Potts Hill and Alexandria
Upgrading substations at Potts Hill, Alexandria and Picnic Point
Installing additional pipes so there is space for a second cable to be added in the future as demand increases, avoiding further disruption to local communities
Constructing special crossings, such as cable bridges or underbores (underground crossings), for the cable circuit to cross rail corridors, rivers or parks
Temporary use of some public spaces as site offices and ‘laydown areas’ during the construction of the project, for the storage and assembly of equipment
Construction is set to commence in mid-2020 and be completed by late-2022

Selecting the preferred project route

We proposed a preferred cable route in 2017 after examining more than 30 route options. As part of our planning and consultation for the project, we recently identified a new cable route which would lower the construction impacts for local communities.

The revised cable route primarily follows local roads and some main roads.
How will Powering Sydney's Future project be built?

For most of the route we would dig a trench about 3 metres wide by 1.2 metres deep and then install conduits (pipes) before covering them and temporarily restoring the area. To cross waterways and rail lines, we are proposing to build special cable bridges or drill belowground.

There will also be associated work at various locations along the route to build underground ‘joint bays’ to pull through and join sections of the new cable.
What work is required?

The new cable will mainly be installed underground in local roads and some main roads with some cable bridges, or underground drilling, to cross rail lines and waterways. Cable installation will be done in the following stages.
Stage 1 – Installing conduits (pipes) below ground which will house the cable:

Stage 2 – Installation of pre-cast underground ‘joint bays’ and communication pits:

Stage 3 – Pulling cable through the conduits in sections:

Stage 4 – Joining the cable sections together in underground ‘joint bays’:

Stage 5 – Permanent restoration of the road in consultation with the relevant Council /road authority:
Project approval

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) has approved the Powering Sydney’s Future project, which secures the electricity supply for 800,000 people working and living in Sydney’s CBD and surrounding suburbs.
This follows the public exhibition and submission of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The studies that supported the EIS were prepared by independent experts and included assessments of potential impacts on the environment, biodiversity, heritage, air quality, amenity, traffic and transport in your community.
We considered all submissions from the community and stakeholders to the EIS and prepared a Submissions Report in response to questions and issues raised. You can view this report, the EIS, DPIE’s Assessment Report, and DPIE’s Conditions of Approval on the DPIE Major Projects web page https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/9956.
We are currently developing the detailed design for the project and progressing plans that will inform its construction. Investigation works are currently underway, with main construction activity expected to start mid-2020.
Community and Stakeholder Reference Group (CSRG)

TransGrid is establishing a CSRG for the Powering Sydney’s Future project to enable community participation in project delivery.
The group will provide a forum for discussions between the project team (including TransGrid and its contractor, Taihan) and local representatives, including community and stakeholder groups and local councils. It will be led by an independent chairperson.
We are looking for a mix of people who live locally or are members of a stakeholder group (e.g. community, environment, Aboriginal or industry) to join our CSRG. Your role as a member of the group is voluntary.
Selection criteria: You will be expected to contribute constructively to CSRG discussions, attend approximately 4 meetings a year, and communicate information about the project between the CSRG and the broader community.
Required forms
Local community:
Nomination form (local community representatives)
Declaration of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests
Stakeholder groups:
Nomination form (stakeholder group representatives)
Declaration of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests
If you have any questions, please contact Brendan Blakely, Independent Chairperson, via email at TransGridCSRG@elton.com.au or phone 02 9387 2600.
Applications must be lodged by 6 April 2020 and sent directly to Brendan Blakely.
Community updates

October 2019 project update newsletter
Community Guide to the EIS
Translated versions
October 2019 project update newsletter (Arabic)
October 2019 project update newsletter (Chinese Traditional)
October 2019 project update newsletter (Chinese Simplified)
October 2019 project update newsletter (Vietnamese)
October 2019 project update newsletter (Greek)
October 2019 project update newsletter (Italian)
Key dates
Contact us

Community Information Line: 1800 955 588
Email: psf@transgrid.com.au
Stakeholder Monitoring Committee
As part of TransGrid’s ongoing commitment to engaging with its stakeholder, TransGrid and Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) have created a Stakeholder Monitoring Committee for the implementation of the Powering Sydney’s Future project. The creation of this committee represents a commitment to provide ongoing engagement with consumers on key aspects of the project’s development, transparency of the rollout, it's unique nature, and the project's numerous drivers and complexities.
The Powering Sydney’s Future Stakeholder Monitoring Committee are:
- Energy Consumers Australia (Chair)
- Australian Industry Group
- Energy Users Association of Australia
- Public Interest Advocacy Centre
PSF Stakeholder Monitoring Committee - May 2019 report
PSF Stakeholder Monitoring Committee report
PSF Stakeholder Monitoring Committee - Dec 2018 report (signed by Chair)
PSF_Stakeholder_Monitoring_Committee_Final_Signed
PSF Stakeholder Monitoring Committee - Charter

Powering Sydney's Future

Powering Sydney’s Future

Why do we need Powering Sydney’s Future?

What is Powering Sydney’s Future?

Required forms

​Community Information Line:

1800 955 588

psf@transgrid.com.au

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