Poles and Underground installed a 3km overhead 132 kV transmission line from a substation on the site of the solar power plant being built 10 km west of Nyngan to a cut-in to Essential Energy’s Nyngan-Cobar transmission line to feed solar-generated electricity to the grid; and a 3km overhead 19kV SWER power line to the site from a cut-in to an Essential Energy distribution line on the Barrier Highway.
The Nyngan Solar Power Plant was being built by AGL Energy Limited with support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the NSW Government. All parties had a keen interest in the success of the project. P&U was engaged at short notice when the original contractor withdrew and was successful in completing the installation within the client’s very demanding time frame.
When completed the Nyngan Plant will be the largest solar power plant in the southern hemisphere.
A P&U crew was assembled and mobilised within two days to take stock of the work yet to be completed and detailed planning to meet the client’s milestones. Planning included identifying hazards; existing commitments to electrical, rail and road authorities: and taking a full inventory of materials and material shortfalls.
During the stringing of the 132kV transmission line four-post netted hurdles were erected to reduce hazards for crossings over the Barrier Highway; an Essential Energy 66kV transmission line; and the haul road to the construction site. Track possessions to negotiate the Nyngan-Cobar rail corridor were co-ordinated effectively.