$23 million upgrade to Warragamba Dam electrical systems - 13 July 2009
Minister for Water, Phil Costa, today announced Sydneys iconic Warragamba Dam has undergone a $23 million facelift, with a major upgrade to the electrical systems now complete.
Minister Costa said the massive upgrade took two years to complete and involved a total overhaul of the dams ageing electrical systems.
It has been more than 40 years since Warragamba was finished and a major upgrade was necessary to bring the electrical systems to todays standards, Mr Costa said.
During the works, 233 light switches, 155 general power outlets, 500 fluorescent light fittings and a total 170 kilometres of cabling were replaced or installed.
Thats almost enough cabling to reach from Sydney to Goulburn.
In addition to this 1,200 energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs were installed and more than 2,600 drill bits were used.
A team of more than 25 electricians worked for two years to bring the massive structures ageing electrical system up to modern standards.
The upgrade also involved significant improvements to the communications systems at Warragamba Dam, to ensure the safety of dam workers and enable more effective communication at the dam.
Mr Costa said the electrical upgrade demonstrates the NSW Governments commitment to ensuring Sydneys water supply is secure into the future.
Warragamba Dam is a critical asset for the people of Sydney, Mr Costa said.
The iconic structure is the most important part of Sydneys water supply network - storing four times the volume of Sydney Harbour.
It is a crucial part of our water supply equation which is made up of dams, recycling, desalination and water efficiency.
This kind of investment is vital to ensure it continues to serve our needs for the next 30-40 years and is just one part of the Governments $240 million investment in Warragamba Dam over the past 10 years.
Since 1998, a major program of works to upgrade Warragamba Dam has included:
- building the Auxiliary Spillway to withstand a worst-case scenario flood completed in 2002 at a cost of $111 million
- constructing the deep water pumping station in 2005/06 at a cost of $62 million
- upgrading of the dams entire electrical network at a cost of $23 million
- a new operations building and visitors centre at a cost of $20 million
- upgrades to the valve house lifts, crest cranes and stoplog rails at a cost of $15 million
- pipeline valve replacements, spares and inspections as well as fencing and painting at a cost of $9 million.
Facts and figures about the electrical upgrade
The upgrade took two years to complete.
- A total of 170 kilometres of cable was used in the upgrade (the distance between Sydney and Goulburn is approximately 197 kilometres, the distance between Warragamba and Goulburn is approx. 175 kilometres)
- 2,627 drill bits were used in the upgrade
- 500 fluorescent light fittings and 1200 fluorescent tubes were installed.
