All 1,500 towers built for Australia’s 700km EnergyConnect backbone

The project is 90% complete and scheduled for finishing in 2026.

All 1,500 steel towers of the 700-kilometre (km) backbone of EnergyConnect project have been constructed.

According to Transgrid, the final tower was erected at Bundure in the Riverina region, marking a significant milestone for the nation-critical project which will increase renewable energy sharing between New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.

Line stringing works have also been completed, with 10,385 km of high-voltage conductor cabling installed, enough to span from Sydney to Perth three times.

The 159 km western section of EnergyConnect, from Buronga, NSW to the South Australia border and Red Cliffs in Victoria, has already been completed and energised, including construction of one of the biggest and most complex substations in the Southern Hemisphere.  

Construction of the world-class Dinawan substation at Bundure is being finalised, and a major expansion of Wagga Wagga substation has also been completed.  

“We have achieved extraordinary progress in construction of the project this year, which is now 90% complete and on schedule to be finished in 2026,” said Executive General Manager of Major Projects Gordon Taylor.