Heywood interconnector, High-voltage power line between South Australia and Victoria, Australia.
The Heywood interconnector is a high-voltage transmission line spanning across South Australia and Victoria, carrying two separate 275 kV AC circuits that form a major link between the two regions' electricity networks. The line runs both overhead and underground across the landscape to maintain this connection.
The interconnector began operations in 1988 as the first direct electricity link between the two states. A major modernization project substantially increased its capacity by 2016.
The infrastructure transformed from transferring coal-powered electricity from Victoria to South Australia into facilitating wind-powered electricity movement in the opposite direction.
The line is visible from public roads and passes through rural areas that are generally accessible. Visitors should be aware that close proximity to the line is restricted for safety reasons.
A 2016 blackout revealed the system's vulnerability when multiple wind farms simultaneously reduced output, causing the line to become overloaded. This incident prompted closer examination of grid stability in the region.
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