Powering Sydney's Future

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A reliable and affordable electricity supply is essential to supporting Sydney’s economy. Parts of the current electricity transmission network were built in the 1960s and 1970s and some underground cables are now approaching the end of their serviceable life. As Sydney’s population grows, the demand for electricity is increasing and replacement of the ageing infrastructure will secure the future supply for residents and businesses in Sydney’s CBD and surrounding suburbs.

For an overview of the project, read our factsheet and to see the project route, view our interactive map. Stay informed of project developments by registering for updates and visiting our document library. For questions about Powering Sydney’s Future, email psf@transgrid.com.au or call our community information line on 1800 955 588. 

Why do we need Powering Sydney’s Future? 

The Powering Sydney’s Future project will secure a 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 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 future 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 ‘laydown areas’ during the construction of the project, for the storage and assembly of equipment.
  • Construction is set to commence in early August 2020 and be completed by late-2022.
  • Latest updates

    Main construction work started in August and work is now well advanced on the western half of the cable route in the Canterbury Bankstown area. Trenching, underboring work and construction of joint bays is progressing well. Work has now moved into the Inner West and City of Sydney areas.

    Two cable bridges are required to be constructed as part of the project. Construction of the cable bridge at Muir Road, Chullora is now complete.  Construction started in early December on a combined cable bridge and cycleway adjacent to Bedwin Road Bridge, St Peters. 

    A cable bridge is required to cross the railway. The cycleway will deliver a key active transport link for the Inner West community. A site laydown area to support bridge construction was established in late November.

    We have started pulling the cables through the conduits we have laid in the completed sections of trench in the western section of the route. As each section of cable is installed, specialist teams will join each section of cable together. 

    To view the latest work notifications for the Powering Sydney’s Future project, please visit our document library. 

  • Community updates

    November 2020 project update newsletter

    To see previous project update newsletters, please visit our document library.

  • 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 the 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 below ground to install the conduits (pipes).  

    At a later stage, the cable will be pulled through the conduits in sections.  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 on 14 May 2020. The 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) from 11 October to 22 November 2019. 

    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 and in our Document Library.


  • Community and Stakeholder Reference Group (CSRG)

    TransGrid has established a CSRG for the Powering Sydney’s Future project to enable community participation in project delivery. 

    The group provides 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 is led by an independent chairperson. 

    The CSRG representatives are:

    • Jeff Senior – City of Canterbury Bankstown
    • David Crosby – Inner West Council
    • Jo Blackman – Inner West Environment Group (IWEG)
    • Brian Hudson – Ashbury Community Group
    • Wally Mehanna – Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce

    If you have any questions, please contact Brendan Blakely, Independent Chairperson, via email at TransGridCSRG@elton.com.au or phone 02 9387 2600. 

    Combined meeting minutes and presentations
    CSRG meeting - January 2021
    CSRG meeting - October 2020
    CSRG meeting - July 2020


  • Key dates

    Please see below for an indicative list of key dates for the project:

    ​Contract award
    		​December 2019
    ​Start of detailed design
    		January 2020​
    ​DPIE published EIS Submissions Report and Amendment Report
    		​February 2020
    ​Project determination
    		​May 2020
    ​Completion of detailed design
    		​Late July 2020
    ​Start of main construction
    		Early ​August 2020
    ​Project completion
    		​Late 2022
  • Contact us
    Community Information Line: 1800 955 588
    Postal address: PO Box A1000
                             Sydney South NSW 1235
  • Translation service

    ​For an interpreter, please call 131 450 and ask them to call TransGrid on 1800 955 588. The interpreter will then assist you with translation.

  • 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, 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


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