Published: 14 Dec 2011
Ergon Energy crews from Cairns and the Tableland will join forces this week to deliver a power network upgrade for customers in the Myola area north of Kuranda.
Additional specialised borer/lifter trucks will be sent to the job that will see the replacement of around two and a half kilometres of high voltage conductors and six power poles.
At least 62 Ergon Energy staff and contractors will be involved in the biggest days of work on Thursday and Friday, December 15 and 16.
The project represents the culmination of months in planning for the Myola area’s high voltage network upgrade and focuses on replacing older-style copper conductor with new technology aluminium conductors.
“The copper conductor on this section of network has reached the end of its useable life and the new aluminium conductors will allow for increased capacity into the future,” explained Manager Regional Services Geoff Bowes.
Mr Bowes said that power would be interrupted to around 250 Myola customers during the busiest day of work on Thursday.
Power was expected to be off for around six hours on Thursday morning.
“We have planned the project in a way that reduces inconvenience to our customers to the absolute minimum,” Mr Bowes said.
“Where it has been viable we will be connecting high capacity generators to the network to keep customers’ power on while we’re doing the work, but unfortunately there will have to be an interruption for some to complete the work safely.”
Mr Bowes said the project would also combine vegetation clearance works along some sections of the Myola area network while it was de-energised to reduce possible future impacts from trees and other vegetation.Contact: Mark Timmerman
Phone: (07) 4727 5731