The conference features a Major Projects stream which will include 12 papers by presenters from Australia and overseas.

Major projects to be discussed include Basslink, the South East Australia Gas pipeline system, Murraylink, and network augmentation in the Sydney CBD - the biggest capital works program undertaken by EnergyAustralia and TransGrid in more than 30 years.

Conference Chairman Brian Blinco said the papers being presented in the Major Projects stream offered delegates the chance to learn about new technologies against a backdrop of tougher environmental and regulatory standards.

"This is a rare chance to gain first-hand insights into how some of Australia's largest energy infrastructure projects have been managed, from the utility and the manufacturer's perspective."

Country Energy's Group Manager Gas Networks, Alan Boyce will talk about a recently completed 'greenfield' natural gas network, built to supply the southern New South Wales towns of Tumut, Gundagai and Adelong - a prospective commercial and domestic customer base of 4,000.

South East Australia Gas Pty Ltd's General Manager, Ashley Kellett will present a paper about the South East Australia Gas pipeline system - the most significant energy infrastructure built in southern Australia since the construction of the Moomba-to-Adelaide gas transmission pipeline in 1969.

The high pressure (15 MPa), high tech pipeline system stretches 680km from the gas processing facility at Port Campbell, the Iona underground storage facility and gas transmission infrastructure in western Victoria through to gas-fired power stations and the gas distribution network in metropolitan Adelaide.

Distribution 2003 is being held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 16-19 November and is proudly hosted by ETSA Utilities. For more information or to register online, visit www.d2003.net