Blacktown Hospital powers up

A major electrical upgrade at Blacktown Hospital, with enough power to run 500 average homes, will power up new operating, theatres, intensive care and a dedicated MRI for the emergency department when the new main building opens in mid 2019.

Engineers completed the update of high voltage power in September during a carefully planned ‘switchover’ from the existing supply to a new three-chamber substation, without any interruption to clinical services.

“The new main building at Blacktown will be state-of-the-art, and that requires a future-proof, secure power supply,” Chris Horton, Health Infrastructure project director said.

“The new Acute Services Building SB Blacktown Hospital Stage 2 now has its own dedicated electrical substation to ensure a continuous power supply, with three transformers and capacity for one more if we need it in the future.

“In everyday terms, that’s enough power to run 500 average homes.”

The upgrade includes:

• 2.5 kilometres of high voltage cabling from the local streets lead into the new substation, where the three transformers convert the high voltage power into low-voltage power to supply the hospital’s power needs

• Two new 1000 kVA high capacity diesel generators added to the two existing 800kVA generators, and able to provide 24 hours critical power supply without refilling

• Six kilometres of electrical cabling in the new building to feed the emergency, operating theatres, sterilising, birthing, maternity, paediatrics, women’s health and newborn care services.

The new building will open in mid 2019.

2.5 kilometres of high voltage cabling from the local streets lead into the new substation, where the three transformers convert the high voltage power into low-voltage power to supply the hospital’s power needs

The new building will open in mid 2019.