HV Substation Commissioning Services Australia
Last reviewed: July 2026 by Matt Geoghegan, CEO, Megavar
Independent Commissioning for Substations from 11 kV to 500 kV Across Australia
Every high-voltage substation must be systematically tested and validated before it can be safely energised and placed into service. A single wiring error, misconfigured protection relay, or incorrect SCADA mapping can result in equipment damage, unplanned outages, or serious safety incidents. Megavar provides independent, end-to-end HV substation commissioning services for greenfield, brownfield, and augmentation projects across all voltage classes from 11 kV distribution through to 500 kV EHV transmission.
With 20+ years of commissioning experience, a national fleet of Omicron test equipment, and engineers who hold competency across all major relay and SCADA platforms, we deliver the technical rigour that asset owners, EPCs, and network service providers demand. Our commissioning methodology is structured, repeatable, and aligned with AS/NZS standards, IEC requirements, and NSP-specific procedures.
What is substation commissioning?
Substation commissioning is the systematic process of testing, verifying and validating every primary and secondary system in a high voltage substation so it can be safely energised and placed into service. It covers point-to-point wiring checks, primary plant testing, protection relay and scheme testing, SCADA and control verification, and final energisation, structured in phases from component-level testing through to system integration and in-service checks.
Voltage range
11kV to 500kV
Standards
AS/NZS, IEC and IEEE
Equipment
Coverage
Australia-wide, four offices
Deliverable
Commissioning test reports and hold-point sign-off
Our Commissioning Methodology
- Design review — Single line diagrams, protection schematics, SCADA architecture, wiring diagrams, cable schedules, and settings documents reviewed against specification and connection agreement.
- Commissioning plan — Detailed commissioning procedures, inspection and test plans (ITPs), hold-point schedules, and risk assessments developed and submitted for approval.
- FAT follow-up — Factory acceptance test results reviewed, non-conformances tracked, and site acceptance test (SAT) scope confirmed.
Phase 2: Component-Level Testing
- Power transformers — Turns ratio (TTR), DC winding resistance, insulation resistance, tan delta, SFRA, excitation current, DGA baseline, vector group verification. Tested per AS 60076 and IEC 60076 using Omicron CPC 100.
- HV switchgear and circuit breakers — Contact resistance (DCRM), insulation resistance, timing tests (open/close/O-CO), SF6 gas pressure and quality, mechanical operation counter verification. Tested using Omicron CIBANO 500.
- Protection relays — Secondary injection testing of all protection functions (50/51, 67, 87T, 87B, 21, 27/59, 81, 50BF, 79, 25) using Omicron CMC 356 and CMC 256plus. Settings verification against approved schedules. Primary injection for end-to-end loop verification using CPC 100 and CP CU1.
- Current and voltage transformers — Ratio, polarity, burden, and magnetisation curve testing using Omicron CT Analyzer.
- HV cables — Insulation resistance, VLF withstand (where applicable), sheath integrity, and phasing verification.
Earthing system — Earth grid resistance, step and touch potential measurements, earth fault loop impedance, and continuity testing. - DC systems — Battery charger, DC distribution, changeover, UPS, and trip circuit supervision verification.
Phase 3: System Integration Testi
Phase 3: System Integration Testing
- Energisation support — On-site engineering during staged HV energisation. Transformer energisation, bus energisation, and load transfer.
- Soak period monitoring — Post-energisation monitoring to identify any issues during the initial operating period.
- As-built documentation — Compilation of all test results, as-found/as-left records, non-conformance closeouts, and handover documentation package.
Phase 4: Energisation and Handover
- SCADA and communications — End-to-end point-to-point verification of every status, control, analogue, and alarm. Protocol testing (DNP3, IEC 61850, Modbus). Alarm propagation to NSP/AEMO control rooms.
- IEC 61850 — GOOSE messaging verification for peer-to-peer protection signalling. SCL file validation. MMS reporting and data model confirmation.
- Protection scheme logic — Complete scheme functional testing including intertripping, permissive schemes, busbar zone selection, CBF backup, auto-reclose sequences, and load shedding.
- Interlocking — Electrical and software interlocking verification for every switching scenario. Key exchange and padlock systems.
Voltage Classes
Megavar maintains Australia’s largest independent fleet of Omicron test equipment: CMC 356, CMC 256plus, CPC 100, CP CU1, CT Analyzer, CIBANO 500, and MPD 600. All equipment is professionally calibrated with certificates traceable to national measurement standards. Our fleet enables rapid mobilisation without equipment availability delays.
Industries We Serve
- Transmission utilities — ElectraNet, TasNetworks, Transgrid, Powerlink
- EPCs — Downer, ACLE, Acciona, Zinfra/Jemena, Worley Parsons
- Renewable energy — solar farms, wind farms, BESS (see dedicated pages)
- Resources and mining — Alcoa Portland, Nyrstar, Bis Industries
- Heavy industry — smelters, refineries, manufacturing
Last reviewed: June 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
High Voltage (HV) Substation Commissioning
What does HV substation commissioning involve?
What voltage classes does Megavar commission?
What test equipment does Megavar use?
What is IEC 61850 commissioning?
Why is independent commissioning important?
Does Megavar commission substations anywhere in Australia?
How long does substation commissioning take?
Ready to commission your substation? Contact Megavar today on 1300 730 499 or visit our contact page to request a quote.
Why Choose Megavar For HV SUBSTATION COMMISSIONING?
- Independent commissioning — We don’t build it and then mark our own work. Independent commissioning provides unbiased quality assurance.
- 20+ years’ experience — Hundreds of substations commissioned across every voltage class and configuration.
- Omicron test platform — The industry standard for modern digital protection and control testing.
- National coverage — Offices in Tasmania, South Australia, New South Wales, and the ACT.
- ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 — Quality, environmental, and safety management systems certified.
- Electrical contractors licences — Licensed in all Australian states and territories.
Ready to commission your BESS project? Contact Megavar today on 1300 730 499 or visit our contact page to request a quote.
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Insights/News/Blogs
Bluegrass BESS Commissioning: HV Testing & Protection Systems | Queensland
Megavar delivered HV testing and protection system commissioning for the Bluegrass BESS (Blue Grass) project in Queensland’s Western Downs, working in partnership with ACLE. The project involved comprehensive secondary injection testing, protection relay commissioning and SCADA integration for grid-connected battery energy storage.
Megavar Expands to Newcastle: New HV Engineering Office in NSW
We’re incredibly excited to share a big milestone in Megavar’s story—we’ve officially opened our new Newcastle branch, located at 22 Gavey Street, Mayfield, NSW. This isn’t just a new location on the map. It’s a long-anticipated step forward, one built on years of consistent project delivery across New South Wales.
Rosebery Substation Upgrade: HV Commissioning in Tasmania’s West Coast
Megavar commissioned the Rosebery substation upgrade on Tasmania’s remote West Coast, delivering HV testing and commissioning services for TasNetworks. The project involved commissioning new disconnectors and associated protection systems in a challenging environment.