The Queensland-New South Wales Interconnector (QNI) is one of the hardest working links in Australia’s national energy grid. Working closely with Zinfra, we’re helping upgrade its power transfer capacity to meet increased demand for years to come!
Given its heavy usage, the transfer capacity of the Queensland-New South Wales Interconnector is often fully utilised. This leads to network constraints on this vital link between these two large states, which impacts on the wider national energy grid.

In partnership with energy construction firm Zinfra, we’re bringing the best of our expertise together to deliver better design and construct (D&C) services for this $40 million, 2 year project on behalf of operator TransGrid.

This includes uprating the capacity of three separate 330 kV transmission lines, with a combined length of 320km, between the Tamworth and Liddell power stations in New South Wales. Using a number of methods to augment the existing towers has enabled a higher transfer of electricity through the lines.

Making this happen involves overcoming a number of challenges, such as the remote location of the transmission structures and the need to maintain security of supply on the QNI throughout this project.

Key to our solution is the design and construction of a new suite of Light, Medium, Heavy and Special Heavy suspension steel pi-poles; including procurement support and foundation design to replace existing lattice steel towers where simple augmentation solutions are not feasible.

Due for completion in December 2021, the upgraded Queensland-New South Wales Interconnector will be able to operate at temperatures up to 120ºC (up from 85ºC) enabling the delivery of more reliable, lower cost electricity to consumers across Australia’s upper east coast.

It will also accelerate the development of renewable power generation, supporting the broader national energy market (NEM) for many years to come!
Related Markets

$40 million

Project value

3

Lines being upgraded

120ºC

Maximum operating temperature

Shot of transmission line works in Northern NSW as part of QNI (Queensland-New South Wales Interconnector) Upgrade project.
Shot of transmission line works in Northern NSW as part of QNI (Queensland-New South Wales Interconnector) Upgrade project.
Shot of transmission line works in Northern NSW as part of QNI (Queensland-New South Wales Interconnector) Upgrade project.
Close up shot of transmission line in Northern NSW as part of QNI (Queensland-New South Wales Interconnector) Upgrade project.
Shot of transmission line works in Northern NSW as part of QNI (Queensland-New South Wales Interconnector) Upgrade project.

Our Client Says

The key strength of Beca’s approach was close collaboration with not only Zinfra, but our pole supplier and the client’s design team. Beca remained on call to provide construction support as necessary throughout the execution of the works, playing a critical role in the project’s success.

Paul Robinson

Project Director - Zinfra

What We've Done

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Services We Provide

Our People

Mark Jacob

Renewables Lead and Senior Principal - Power

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