Ausgrid

West Pittwater Reliability Project

Ausgrid is planning to improve the reliability of the local power supply to West Pittwater (McCarrs Creek, Elvina Bay, Lovett Bay and Southern Morning Bay), following extended power outages to the area in previous years.

Key Dates

Early February 2021
Option announcement

  • Community information about the project

February to August 2021
Project detailed design and approval

  • Complete environmental assessment
  • Contractor engaged for design and construction
  • Develop detailed design
  • Final project approval

September – March 2022
Construction

  • Underbore rigs set up in Catherine Park and near Halls Wharf
  • Bore under sea grasses from each end
  • Barge in cable and lay under sea bed
  • Connect cable into network

Project Details

  • Project need

    Two 11,000 volt submarine cables currently supply West Pittwater and Scotland Island residents and businesses.  Ausgrid has been considering a broad range of options aimed at improving energy security to the area following extended power outages in December 2013 and February 2015.

  • Project Planning

    Two 11,000 volt (11kV) submarine cables currently supply West Pittwater and Scotland Island residents and businesses. Ausgrid has been considering a broad range of options aimed at improving energy security to the area.

    In 2018, Ausgrid discussed with the community the option to install a Microgrid system to provide a backup supply for long duration outages.
    Since then, Ausgrid has undertaken extensive investigations into the feasibility of this option, including engaging with potential suppliers, reviewing detailed pricing estimates, construction methodologies and completing ecological studies. We have also looked at other network solutions.

    This extensive feasibility investigation process has determined that:

    • The cost of a Microgrid would be considerably higher than forecast;
    • A behind the grid solar option would require full funding by residents, something residents told us via a survey they do not support;
    • A Microgrid option would have also required significant clearing of trees and vegetation to ensure bushfire safety clearances for the site.

    Additionally, with recent advancements in cable technology and construction methods, this process has determined a submarine cable is a more cost-effective and low maintenance solution for West Pittwater and our broader customers.

    Ausgrid has already engaged with suppliers to prepare detailed scope and cost estimates for the installation of a submarine cable and cost estimates for the installation of a submarine cable between Catherine Park, Scotland Island and Halls Wharf, West Pittwater that will provide a ring network for West Pittwater.

    The new submarine cable will provide a more reliable electricity network for West Pittwater and will:

    • Greatly reduce construction and maintenance costs;
    • Significantly reduce the environmental footprint;
    • Limit visual impacts.

    After detailed environmental assessment approvals are completed, Ausgrid is planning to install the submarine cable in mid-2021.

    The new 11kV submarine cable will run underwater between Catherine Park, Scotland Island and Halls Wharf, West Pittwater – exact entry and exit points to be investigated during the environmental assessment phase.

    This option links the existing 11kV networks at Scotland Island and West Pittwater with a new 11kV cable. By installing a cable, connecting these sites, we will create a ‘ring’ on the local network which will provide more options for restoring power in the event of an outage.

    To minimise the impact to the sea grass beds at either end and to make sure that the cable is not snagged by anchoring and private moorings, it is proposed that the entry points will be underbored from each shoreline to about 150 metres into Pittwater.

    This will be a much smaller scale project to the recently constructed Scotland Island work and would be completed in two sections. A drilling rig would be set up in Catherine Park and near Halls Wharf for about two weeks each, weather and ground conditions permitting.

    The cable will be barged to site and then be installed through the entry/exit points and laid about 1.5 metres under the sea grass bed.
    Construction is anticipated to start in mid-2021.
    Benefits include:

    • Significantly reduced cost when compared to the Microgrid’s initial installation cost;
    • No ongoing maintenance costs and a significantly reduced whole of life cost;
    • Significantly reduced environmental footprint and visual amenity.
  • Next Steps

    Ausgrid has already engaged with suppliers to prepare scope and cost estimates for the installation of the submarine cable. Work to install the cable is planned to get underway in mid-2021 after an environmental assessment process. Ausgrid will continue working with West Pittwater residents to minimise any environmental and community impacts.

     

  • Community Engagement

    Ausgrid will issue email notification updates detailing work locations and dates. Residents can register for these updates to be emailed to them at majorprojects@ausgrid.com.au.

    For information related to the project, you may contact Ausgrid on 1800 604 765 or at majorprojects@ausgrid.com.au.
    We thank you for your continued patience as we work to improve the network reliability in the area.

Latest Update

Sunday 19th March 2023

Ausgrid Project Briefing – AGM Meeting with WPCA and Hon. Rob Stokes MP.

Representatives from Ausgrid

  • Jason Wall, Project Development Manager
  • Adrian Woodford, Project Director

Overview
The Scotland Island Project and the West Pittwater Project have improved the energy reliability to the West Pittwater Community. The two projects were established in 2015 in response to significant electricity outages experienced by the area. Ausgrid considered a number of different options to address this issue including energy efficiency initiatives and a microgrid (utilising batteries, solar and diesel generation as a backup supply). Ultimately it was determined that installation of a new cable between Church Point and Scotland Island and a new cable between Scotland Island and Lovett Bay was the best way to improve reliability to the area.

Western Pittwater Foreshores Reliability Project Update

  • Residents in West Pittwater now benefit from a more reliable power supply thanks to completion of an Ausgrid project to upgrade local infrastructure.
  • To achieve this Ausgrid has installed a new underground cable between Church Point and Carol’s Wharf, Scotland Island and a new submarine cable between Catherine Park, Scotland Island and Halls Wharf, West Pittwater.
  • Connecting these sites has created a ‘ring’ on the local network that provides more options for restoring power in the event of an outage.
  • Many thanks to the WPCA for their support throughout the project development and delivery phases, helping achieve a great result for the community.

For more information, please see the attached notification:

Ausgrid Briefing Document – AGM Meeting with WPCA and Hon Rob Stokes MP
19th March 2023
(460 KB)

Update History

Ausgrid Briefing Document – AGM Meeting with WPCA and Hon Rob Stokes MP
19th March 2023
(460 KB)

Community Update – 3rd February 2022 (414 KB)

Construction work in Lovett Bay and Catherine Park Dec 23rd 2021 (403 KB)

Construction work in Catherine Park-27 October 2021 (544 KB)

Community Update – 16 September 2021 (1.1 MB)

Community Update – 21st February 2021 (397 KB)

West Pittwater Community Newsletter – June 2018 (3 MB)

West Pittwater Newsletter – Dec 2017 (534 KB)

Community Newsletter – March 2016 (313 KB)

 

 

 

Information and Document Downloads

Ausgrid Survey update letter.pdf (Historical – 207 KB)

West Pittwater Community Feedback Report.pdf (Historical – 774 KB)

West Pittwater Home Energy Report – June 2018 (1.7 MB)