A series of questions

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Saibai Island, TSIRC › Energy › A series of questions

  • This topic has 1 reply, 2 voices, and was last updated 1 week ago by Jean Aquinde.
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  • 02/09/2025 at 10:45 am #9363
    Max DAmbrosio
    Participant

      Sorry about the number of questions, but there is only so much data easily accessible online, and there a few specifics and I wanted to get more info on the material infrastructure and reality of Saibai Island’s to better identify the starting point and what’s already in place.

      1.1 Power Station Capacity – I know it’s under 5MW since the QLD treasury department only supplies data on 5MW plant’s and above.
      1.2 Power Station Specs – Any more information such as documents or specifications that can be provided about the Diesel Power Plant.
      1.3 Substation and Lines – Any Info that can be provided about the substations, powerlines and distribution system would be apricated.
      1.4 Solar – How much Solar is already on the island I know there are solar water heaters but is there PV yet.
      1.5 Gas – I’ve been able to find no other mention of gas, is it like gas cooking or something else.

      2.1 Energy Consumption – Ergon groups data by postcode and there are 27 islands that share the same postcode as the Saibai islands, so is there any more specific data.

      3.1 WIP Substation Upgrade – Info from WIP is vague on what exactly was upgrade and what are the capabilities of the new substation, was it just maintenance, some routine upgrade, does it enable more decentralised power sources, what did it do.
      3.2 Corrosion of Infrastructure – How do they handle the increased corrosion due to costal location and salt, in the plant, substations and powerlines (do they use alternatives or variants to the standard aluminium connectors used in powerlines).
      3.3 Dynamic PV Connections – Has Ergon upgraded their grid to manage PV power generation, yet the date list was 2025 or later, is there anything more about it that can be shared. Is the grid capable of handling any form of decentralised power.

      4.1 MIRABOU ENERGY PROJECT – How fair into development is it, when is its rollout planned are there more detailed specifics or documents that can be shared.
      4.2 ERGON ENERGY 2030 – They plan to have 50% renewables by 2030 how does that fit in.

      5.1 Thoughts on the current infrastructure – What are the residents current thoughts and feelings on the current infrastructure
      5.2 Thoughts on the future plans – The current future plans I’ve found seem effective, efficient and practical I was wondering if the residents of Saibai have any thoughts or feelings about them.

      Sorry about the barrage of questions I’ve been sifting through Ergon documents, QLD government sites with some success, a little success with WIP and MIRABOU ENERGY, and TSIRC documents have been some of the hardest to sift through due to their broad nature. So, I thought I’d give this a shot and ask some of the questions I haven’t been able to find answers. I’d appreciate answers to any of the above questions.

      04/09/2025 at 12:09 pm #9388
      Jean Aquinde
      Keymaster

        Hi Max,

        We fully appreciate the level of detail and depth of your research on this topic – most impressive!

        Please see below our response that combines GPT5 (paid version) with our own evidence (based on earlier scoping and discussions with TSIRC this week).

        I also recommend checking our EWB Challenge FAQs on how to approach topics with insufficient data.

        1.1 Power Station Capacity
        Saibai is one of Ergon’s isolated microgrids supplied by a central diesel power station. Ergon’s strategy notes maximum demand across isolated networks ranges from 68 kW at Stephens Island to 4.2 MW at Thursday Island, so Saibai’s plant is below 5 MW. Exact unit ratings for Saibai are not published, so you’ll need to make some assumptions as part of your design.

        Links:
        https://www.ergon.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/1021517/Isolated-Networks-Strategy-2030.pdf
        https://www.ergon.com.au/network/about-us/right-to-information/access

        1.2 Power Station Specs
        The Saibai Master Plan says supply is via an unmanned, fully automated, multi-unit diesel generator plant. Ergon’s isolated networks pages describe these microgrids but do not publish detailed genset make, model or control specs. You can make some reasonable assumptions to support your design.

        Links:
        https://tsirc.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Saibai-Island-Master-Plan.pdf
        https://www.ergon.com.au/network/our-network/isolated-and-remote-power-stations
        https://www.ergon.com.au/network/about-us/right-to-information/access

        1.3 Substation and Lines
        TSIRC’s planning scheme maps show community infrastructure layers for Saibai and note electricity assets are mapped for information. Ergon’s isolated networks comprise power stations, high voltage feeders, SWER and low voltage distribution, which is the typical configuration. Ergon’s overhead line design standard lists conductor families such as AAC, AAAC and ACSR, which are industry-standard aluminium based conductors. Public, island-specific line schedules or substation single-line diagrams are not published. You won’t need to go into this level of detail. You can make some reasonable assumptions to support your design.

        Links:
        https://tsirc.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Schedule-3-Saibai-Island-maps.pdf
        https://www.ergon.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/1021517/Isolated-Networks-Strategy-2030.pdf
        https://www.academia.edu/37091807/Standard_for_Distribution_Line_Design_Overhead

        1.4 Solar
        Ergon’s “Isolated networks solar capacity” table lists Saibai Island with zero remaining unmanaged PV hosting capacity and notes that dynamic PV connections are not available until 2025 or beyond, to be confirmed. The Master Plan mentions solar water heaters but does not identify utility-scale PV on Saibai.

        Links:
        https://www.ergon.com.au/network/our-network/isolated-and-remote-power-stations/isolated-networks-solar-capacity
        https://tsirc.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Saibai-Island-Master-Plan.pdf

        1.5 Gas
        There’s no reticulated gas main on Saibai. TSIRC have advised us that LPG bottled gas is common for household cooking, shipped in via Seaswift barges. New homes being constructed have electric stoves. Government subsidised support for replacement of old gas systems ( as part of wider electrification roll out) is also being implemented. It’s also worth reading up on the recent Mirabou Energy initiative that aims to improve the energy resilience of Saibai and other Torres Strait communities.

        Links:

        Masig Project – Mirabou Energy

        Schedules

        2.1 Energy Consumption
        Public consumption data is not published at Saibai-only granularity. Ergon’s strategy provides ranges for isolated networks, and Ergon groups many communities under shared postcodes for statistics. For Saibai-specific annual MWh or peak demand, you can come up with your own assumptions based on typical usage by population size. Also, we suggest checking out AEMO’s Electricity Demand Forecasting Methodology.

        Links:
        https://www.ergon.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/1021517/Isolated-Networks-Strategy-2030.pdf
        https://www.ergon.com.au/network/about-us/right-to-information/access

        3.1 WIP Substation Upgrade
        WIP Construction’s project page states it upgraded Ergon substations on Mer and Saibai. Scope included bulk earthworks, excavations, works within a live LV station, and improved access decks and peripheral structures to support remote diesel power generation. This appears to be civil infrastructure and LV station works rather than a DER-enabling controls or capacity upgrades, perhaps in support of the Mirabou Energy initiative.

        Links:

        Ergon Sub Stations – Mer and Saibai Islands

        3.2 Corrosion of Infrastructure
        Saibai’s marine environment implies high corrosivity categories under AS 4312, often C4 to C5 or higher in surf or severe marine. Standard practice in such zones is to use hot-dip galvanised or stainless steel hardware and protective coating systems specified in AS/NZS 2312.1 for structural steel. Network-specific materials lists for Saibai are not public, but these are the Australian references Ergon designs typically follow.

        Links:
        https://www.natspec.com.au/images/TECHnotes/NTN-DES-010-Atmospheric-corrosivity-categories.pdf
        https://www.intertekinform.com/en-au/standards/as-4312-2019-130477_saig_as_as_2778277/

        3.3 Dynamic PV Connections
        Ergon is rolling out dynamic connections statewide, with a dedicated standard for small IES that takes effect in 2025. For isolated networks, Saibai’s table currently shows dynamic PV not available until 2025 or beyond, to be confirmed. This indicates the grid is being prepared for more decentralised PV, with timing dependent on island-level controls integration.

        Links:
        https://www.ergon.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1072592/Dynamic-Standard-for-Small-IES-Connections-3403035.pdf
        https://www.ergon.com.au/network/our-network/isolated-and-remote-power-stations/isolated-networks-solar-capacity

        4.1 Mirabou Energy Project
        Mirabou says it is delivering the Torres Strait Renewable Energy Project with TSIRC, communities, Energy Queensland and Ergon. Public pages describe integrated PV, community batteries and control systems tailored to each island. There is no publicly posted rollout schedule for Saibai on Mirabou’s site, so current detail appears high-level only. Check TSIRC agendas and minutes for updates.

        Links:

        Masig Project – Mirabou Energy

        4.2 Ergon Energy 2030 target fit
        Queensland’s Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act 2024 sets legal targets for renewable generation, 50 percent by 2030, 70 percent by 2032, 80 percent by 2035. Isolated networks are outside the NEM, but decarbonising diesel microgrids and enabling DER still contribute to Queensland’s total renewable generation share. Ergon’s inner-islands projects show the pathway.

        Links:
        https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-2024-015
        https://www.ergon.com.au/network/our-services/projects-and-maintenance/major-projects/greater-queensland-projects/thursday%2C-horn-and-hammond-island-renewable-energy-project

        5.1 Thoughts on the current infrastructure
        Formal, island-specific survey results are not published. Regional consultations point to concerns about reliability, cost of living and resilience. The Queensland Government’s 2023 Torres Strait and NPA Cost of Living Summit documents these issues, and major news reporting shows residents’ broader infrastructure concerns on Saibai.

        Based on our interviews with the community during scoping in late 2023, periodic power outages, community expectations regarding energy resilience and impact to livelihood is an ongoing concern.

        Links:
        https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/381280/2023-Torres-Strait-Islands-and-Northern-Peninsula-Area-Cost-of-Living-Summit-outcome-report.pdf
        https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-15/rising-ocean-threat-to-island-culture-torres-strait-australia/104613496

        5.2 Thoughts on the future plans
        The Torres Strait Renewable Energy Transition Plan outlines broad, consultative support for a shift to renewables, with emphasis on reliability, cultural fit and affordability. Mirabou’s partnership framing also reflects this direction. Specific Saibai community sentiment on project designs associated with the Mirabou Energy initiative is not publicly documented, however from our interactions with the community it is very clear that climate change resilience and adaptation are essential to livelihood.

        Links:
        https://www.tsra.gov.au/document/torres-strait-renewable-energy-transition-plan-2021/

        Masig Project – Mirabou Energy

        Hope this helps with your design process!

        Regards,
        Tom & Jean

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