Basslink Interface Powercor Australia 2006 PMAA Results: State High Commendation Email the Support Office or call (02) 8288 8700 for media and project enquiries.

Basslink was a historic national project which upon construction and commissioning allows the trade of electricity between Tasmania and the mainland of Australia. The Basslink HVDC interconnector runs from Loy Yang in Gippsland Victoria, across Bass Strait to Bell Bay in northern Tasmania. The 290km undersea cable is the longest of its type in the world. 

As part of the establishment of the Basslink HVDC Interconnector between Loy Yang (Victoria) and Georgetown (Tasmania) a number of design and construction packages were undertaken by various parties for different clients, both construction and end users. The various components and interfaces added a high level of complexity to the project. 

Separate Projects under the Basslink banner included:

• Loy Yang Substation (LYPS) augmentation
• Georgetown Substation augmentation
• Basslink Converter Station (BLLC) works
• Interface works between BLLC and LYPS
• DC undersea cable installation

 The project for which this submission is being made is the “Interface works between the Basslink Converter Station and Loy Yang Terminal Station” whereby the scope of works encompassed the work at Loy Yang Terminal Station (LYPS) for station interfacing to Basslink Connection for SPAusNet. At LYPS a double switched bay was established to provide connection from the LYPS 500kV yard to the Basslink Converter Station (BLLC). The work for design and installation of the two circuit breaker’s and associated isolator’s and earth Switches, with protection, control and instrumentation equipment, was carried out under a separate contract by Powercor Australia LTD for Siemens Australia Limited. 

The project involving the construction and commissioning of the new 500kV electrical infrastructure was a first for Powercor Network Services in a project delivery capacity. The project was a landmark project for the business and part of a strategic direction for growth in the External transmission market segment. The successful completion of this project for SPAusNet has resulted in proven and demonstrated capability and competency in extra high voltage infrastructure projects opening the way for similar projects. Within months of completion of this project three projects worth $millions in revenue were tendered and won with the same client.

The key challenge for the project team was managing a critical, yet minor in financial terms project, which had several stakeholders and interfaces, significant risks, was technically complex and had to be delivered during a difficult industrial period. Learning’s from this project have been incorporated into Powecor’s project management systems.

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