A massive new rail substation in South Yarra – the first in Victoria to be built underground – has been switched on.
The South Yarra substation houses electrical equipment to provide the extra power needed for the new high-capacity trains that will run through the eastern end of the Metro Tunnel and along the Cranbourne/Pakenham Line.
The self-contained, mostly unstaffed building is used to convert the local power supply into the voltage needed to operate trains, signals and communication equipment. It will supply up to 20 million amps to the Metro Tunnel, equivalent to supplying power to around 2800 households.
The almost 37km of electrical cabling inside the substation would reach from the Melbourne CBD to Werribee if laid flat. This includes more than 18km of high-voltage cable, over 8km of low-voltage cable, and 10km of earthing and control cable.
As well as powering regular train operations, the South Yarra substation will also be used for backup electricity supply in emergencies, providing power for evacuations, firefighting and medical equipment.
Above the submerged substation, a new public park is being built with trees, landscaping, seating and artwork. The substation’s concrete roof slab, along with electrodes buried 30m into the ground below, will protect people in the park above from any electrical faults.
The Metro Tunnel is on track to open in 2025.
Find out more about the tunnel entrance in South Yarra.
