EnergyConnect buys locally and delivers $300m windfall for Riverina, Murray and Sunraysia businesses

The nation-critical EnergyConnect project will increase renewable energy sharing between NSW, Victoria and South Australia, providing access to lower-cost wholesale energy, and improving reliability and security of supply for households and businesses before NSW’s coal-fired power stations retire.

Transgrid and its delivery partner Elecnor Australia have invested $300.6 million in supply contracts with 351 local and First Nations businesses across the 700km alignment between the South Australian border and Wagga Wagga.

“EnergyConnect has adopted a buy local approach, resulting in us procuring a wide range of goods and services from local businesses in the Riverina, Murray and Sunraysia regions,” Transgrid’s Executive General Manager of Major Projects Gordon Taylor said.

“We are proud to work alongside these local businesses, many of which are family owned and operated, to deliver this nation-critical project, helping them grow and keeping the money in local communities.

“This much-needed economic benefit to regional NSW will ensure EnergyConnect leaves a lasting legacy in communities across the Riverina, Murray and Sunraysia regions.”

Absolute Mesh and Steel at Wagga Wagga has supplied hundreds of tonnes of reinforcing bar for tower foundations as part of EnergyConnect and is now providing materials for the HumeLink project.

“The EnergyConnect project for us was really exciting to be a part of because obviously a project of that scale doesn’t come to the region very often,” Director Wayne Green said.

“To know that we had that volume of work to do allowed us to reinvest in the business. We were able to buy some more machinery, put some more people on and really increase our output.”

United Fasteners at Wagga Wagga supplied 30,000 tower bolts and other materials for EnergyConnect.

“United Fasteners’ involvement in EnergyConnect has been a highly positive experience for the business,” Account Manager Steve McGill said.

“We take great satisfaction in knowing that our products are contributing to the infrastructure that will connect Australia’s renewable energy resources to the grid. It is a privilege for us to play a part in a project of this scale and importance, and the company is genuinely proud of its contribution.”

Wagga Wagga-based businesses which have supplied the project include Wagga Trucks, Kennedy Bros. Earthmoving, Total Tools, Kennards Hire, Kurrajong Timber, Hillis Motor Group, Itellifleet and Southland Supply Group.

Other local businesses which have helped deliver EnergyConnect include Lockhart Hardware & Hire, Pumps, Pipes & Power (Coleambally), BDS Automotive (Balranald), Caruso Bros. Transport (Deniliquin), Gregg & Sons Steel (Buronga), and Garraway Group (Mildura).

Lockhart Mayor Peter Sharp said local businesses in town greatly benefited from increased patronage from workers staying at the nearby EnergyConnect accommodation camp including the Lockhart Ex-Servicemen's Club which has been able to reinvest in improved facilities for members.

“We’re pretty happy to help the companies and the state and the nation move forward into an energy transition,” Councillor Sharp said.

“If we can play a small part and get some benefit out of it which we have then we are more than happy to do that.”

Elecnor Australia’s EnergyConnect Project Director Felipe Delgado said supporting regional businesses, creating jobs and building local capability have been a key priority throughout the project.

“Elecnor has worked closely with local suppliers, supporting regional businesses to employ local people and reinvest in their communities,” Mr Delgado said.

“We thank all the businesses and suppliers who partnered with us to deliver this iconic project.”

EnergyConnect has also provided a range of other social and economic benefits including education and training opportunities, skills development, and community grants and partnerships.

The project has moved into a detailed commissioning and testing phase.

EnergyConnect local business supply contracts:

Media enquiries: Mark Nolan 0429 047 136