GRID CONNECTION
An underground electrical collector network will aggregate the electricity from all the wind turbines within the Mt Mercer wind farm and bring it to a common point. This collector network will be completely underground and will operate at 33kV.
A substation and an amenities building containing control and metering equipment (Switchyard Facility) will be constructed at this common point. The output will be connected to the National Electricity Grid via an overhead power line to a site 4km north of the township of Elaine. The Switchyard Facility will be located near Mt Lawaluk, alongside the Mt Mercer-Shelford Road.
The wind farm will be connected to the existing National Electricity Grid at the proposed Elaine Terminal Station (ELTS) at a site 4km north of the township of Elaine. This terminal station will step the voltage up from 132kV to 220kV allowing the electricity to be distributed across the national grid. A new power line will be constructed between Mt Mercer and the proposed ELTS site. This new section of power line will operate at 132 kV. This new power line will run from Mt Mercer to Elaine across both private and public land. The existing 220 kV transmission lines at ELTS are owned and operated by SP AusNet.
The new power line and ELTS will be constructed, owned and operated by Transmission Operations (Australia) Pty Ltd. This company will be responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the power line and ELTS comply with the conditions of the relevant planning permits.