CIMIC Group companies UGL and CPB Contractors have been selected by Transgrid to deliver the western section of the HumeLink high voltage electricity transmission project in New South Wales.
HumeLink is a new transmission project which will connect Wagga Wagga, Bannaby and Maragle in regional New South Wales, and will significantly increase the capacity of the electricity network in Australia’s eastern states.
It is one of the state’s largest energy infrastructure projects, with about 385 kilometres of proposed new transmission lines and a range of other new and upgraded infrastructure.
The UGL and CPB Contractors joint venture will be responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the western portion of HumeLink, including 148 kilometres of 500kV transmission lines, from the Snowy 2.0 connection at Maragle to Wagga Wagga.
The joint venture will also construct two new 500kV substations at Gugaa and Maragle and an augmentation at Transgrid’s existing Wagga Wagga 330kV substation.
CIMIC Group Executive Chairman Juan Santamaria said: “The project will increase the amount of renewable energy that can be delivered across the national electricity grid, delivering reliable and sustainable power.
“It will also support economic growth and local jobs and skills.”
The HumeLink contracts are structured in two stages, with early works to begin immediately and finish in mid-2024, including detailed design, investigations, procurement and project mobilisation.
The second stage comprises main construction works and will begin after all project approvals have been granted and the final investment decision made, expected to occur in mid-2024.
HumeLink is one of the state’s largest energy infrastructure projects, with about 360 km of proposed new transmission lines, and new or upgraded infrastructure at three locations.
It will deliver a more reliable and more sustainable grid by increasing the amount of renewable energy that can be delivered across the national electricity grid, helping to transition Australia to a low carbon future.