Dinawan Substation Completed as EnergyConnect Reaches Major Milestone
EnergyConnect has reached a major milestone with the completion of the Dinawan substation, a key component designed to support renewable energy integration and future interstate transmission links across south-west New South Wales.
Developed by Transgrid, the new facility will form a central junction between a 375-kilometre dual-circuit 330kV line from Buronga and a 160-kilometre dual-circuit 500kV line from Wagga Wagga. The substation will enable the transfer of additional solar and wind generation into the National Electricity Market and support future connections including the proposed VNI West interconnector between NSW and Victoria.
More than 750 workers contributed to the project, which included 6,820 cubic metres of concrete and the installation of two 120MVAr synchronous condensers. The site also incorporates four shunt reactors and two capacitor banks to stabilise voltage and reduce losses across the transmission network.
According to John Burke, EnergyConnect program director, the project will support greater renewable energy sharing across NSW, Victoria and South Australia while improving grid reliability.
The broader EnergyConnect initiative spans roughly 900 kilometres and includes the expansion of the Buronga substation—now the largest and most complex in the Southern Hemisphere—completed in August. Transmission lines from Buronga to both the South Australian border and Red Cliffs in Victoria have also been delivered, while works on the eastern segment between Buronga and Wagga Wagga continue.
Named after the Wiradjuri word for “emu,” the Dinawan substation covers approximately four hectares and houses high-voltage equipment sourced from global suppliers.
Source: reneweconomy.com
