Wind's power too much for wires

Hobart Mercury
05/06/2007 Page: 10

AUSTRALIA'S biggest wind farm is unable to put the full amount of power generated back into the Tasmanian grid.

The final stage of the 140-megawatt Woolnorth wind farm on the coast west of Smithton is in the final stages of commissioning. But current transmission lines in the northwest are not capable of handling the farm's full capacity. Energy company Transend said yesterday the capacity of the northwest transmission system was being increased. Transend general manager connections and strategic development Stephen Clark said a $20-million augmentation of electricity transmission lines between Burnie, Port Latta and Smithton continues.

"This work will improve the reliability and security of Transend's electricity transmission service in northwest Tasmania." Mr Clark said. "Transend's investment will ensure that there is adequate transmission capacity in the northwest to meet the anticipated increase in demand for electricity in the area over the next 15 years." The work involves replacing copper conductors with aluminium conductors on the lines between Burnie and Port Latta.

Transend is also increasing the operating design temperatures on existing conductors between Port Latta and Smithton. "Transend is working cooperatively with Roaring 40s, the company that owns the Woolnorth Wind Faun," Mr Clark said. "Roaring 40s is planning its electricity generation program from Woolnorth in line with Transend's augmentation timetable."

Roaring 40s public relations manager Josh Bradshaw said yesterday the company was aware of the transmission restrictions. "We are working with Transend. who are doing some upgrading of their system, and it is our understanding they will have done the upgrades by the end of the year," Mr Bradshaw said. "This was always factored into our business case, so there are no surprises for us."