A new rail substation in South Yarra has been switched on to provide extra power for high-capacity trains travelling through the Melbourne Metro Tunnel.
The self-contained building will convert the local power supply into the required voltage to operate trains, signals and communications equipment. It will supply up to 20 million amps to the Metro Tunnel.
The new substation contains almost 37 kilometres of electrical cabling, including more than 18 kilometres of high-voltage cable, over 8 kilometres of low-voltage cable, and 10 kilometres of earthing and control cable
In addition to powering regular train operations, it will also be used as a backup electricity supply in emergencies.
This is the first rail substation in Victoria to be built underground, enabling a public park to be built above it. The substation’s concrete roof slab, as well as electrodes buried 30 metres into the ground, will protect people in the park from any electrical faults.
Once it opens in 2025, the Metro Tunnel will create a new rail line from Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham.
