Quick facts
- Location: Plumpton, VIC
- Asset owners: SEC Victoria and Equis Australia
- Client: Transgrid
- Delivery model: Design & Construct (D&C)
- Scope: 660MVA 500/33kV (BESS grid connection substation)
- Asset connected: 600MW / 1.6GWh battery energy storage
- Status: Completed and Commissioned
- Key interfaces: Victorian transmission network connection works, including the 500kV connection assets (delivered as part of the broader grid connection package)
Approach:
TEC-C was engaged by Transgrid to deliver key substation works for the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (MREH), on behalf of the end asset owners, SEC Victoria and Equis Australia.
MREH is a landmark 600MW / 1.6GWh battery project in Melbourne’s west, requiring a high-voltage transmission connection solution delivered at 500kV — the top end of HV construction in Australia and a true test of specialist delivery capability.
The connection substation was rated at 660MVA, comprising three 220MVA power transformers, and included an extensive 500kV switchyard designed to provide network resilience. The switchyard footprint was approximately 150m x 190m, comparable in scale to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) playing field, with primary infrastructure up to 26 metres high (around a nine-storey building). These scale factors drove significant complexity across civil foundations, heavy equipment logistics, primary plant installation, secondary systems integration, and commissioning readiness.
Delivery required rigorous interface management and contemporary delivery methods for a 500kV environment, including disciplined programme control, quality management and safe execution across multiple work fronts. TEC-C also successfully managed industrial relations and stakeholder requirements typical of major transmission projects, maintaining momentum in a complex delivery environment.
Outcome: The substation works formed part of the broader grid connection package, enabling MREH to connect into Victoria’s transmission network, with the hub now switched on.
Key features:
Delivery of the 660MVA 500/33kV substation enabling connection of the MREH battery project
Installation planning and execution for major plant, including large power transformers transported and received as oversized loads
Coordination and readiness activities aligned to transmission network connection requirements, within the broader MREH grid-connection package
Two giant transformers have arrived at MREH
