Upgrading the network’s backbone from Burnie to Smithton
For the third year running, TasNetworks crews have upgraded ageing transmission towers in the North-West!
Behind every community, business and industry is a network of poles and wires that keep the lights on. Upgrading old transmission towers often go unnoticed. But without them, the grid would struggle to deliver the reliable power Tasmanians depend on every day.
The Burnie-Port Latta-Smithton 110kV transmission line stretches 71 kilometres, supplying communities and major industry in the North-West, and connecting renewable generation to the rest of Tassie. Built during ‘the Hydro’ days in 1949, many of its 287 structures are now more than 75 years old.
Over the past three years, TasNetworks has been progressively replacing ageing towers with modern pole structures designed to serve Tasmania for decades to come.
What makes the project even more impressive is that the work is being completed while keeping power flowing. Because the line supports critical customers and communities, crews carefully transfer circuits to new structures while maintaining supply.
Under favourable conditions, crews can replace up to three structures a day.
“You’re working in close proximity to live circuits that are maintaining supply,” said Head of Asset Management, Josh Cunningham.
“There is very little tolerance for error. Teams and crews across the organisation tackle short time windows to plan, coordinate and execute outages, with outstanding outcomes for Tasmania.”
While the infrastructure upgrades are important, so too are the opportunities they create for our teams.
This year's program brought together field crews, control room operators, planners and engineers, while also giving apprentices the chance to gain experience on a major transmission project. Among them was an apprentice who had been with the business for just one month!
For Head of Operations Delivery, Brad Walker, seeing experienced workers share their knowledge with the next generation is a highlight of the program.
“In a growing energy industry, particularly in Tasmania, building that capability locally is essential. These projects give our people the opportunity to develop the skills needed to support the next generation of network infrastructure.”
The Burnie-Port Latta-Smithton upgrade program will continue over the next decade, strengthening a critical part of Tassie’s grid and enabling safe and sustainable flow of electricity around the state.
As experienced crews pass on their knowledge to the next generation, projects like this are strengthening more than the network, but also building the workforce that will power Tasmania for years to come!
