EnergyConnect powers up as clean energy transition forges ahead

The critical EnergyConnect project increases renewable energy sharing between NSW, Victoria and South Australia, providing access to lower-cost wholesale energy as NSW’s coal-fired power stations progressively retire.

Transgrid and its delivery partner Elecnor Australia have completed construction of the 700km NSW section of the essential interconnector, with more than 1,500 towers and over 10,000km of high-voltage conductor.

Stage 2 of EnergyConnect, the 540km line between Buronga and Wagga Wagga, is being energised following detailed commissioning checks. Later this year, the Australian Energy Market Operator will begin its inter-network testing on stage 2, to confirm the reliability and performance of the new infrastructure. The first stage of the project, a 160km line from the South Australian border to Buronga and into Victoria, became operational last year.

Transgrid Group CEO Brett Redman said EnergyConnect is key to building the modern power system needed to cater for a modern economy by 2035.

“NSW is well advanced in the deep transition, and Transgrid has been getting on with the job of delivering more than 2,000km of critical transmission lines that will provide millions of consumers with access to lower-cost renewable energy,” Mr Redman said.

“Energisation of EnergyConnect marks the culmination of one of the nation’s most significant transmission builds and is a defining moment in the delivery of Australia’s clean energy future.

“EnergyConnect will benefit consumers by enabling access to lower-cost sources of energy like solar and wind, also known as wholesale energy, which is the largest component of household bills. The project will also help achieve Australia’s climate change targets as we replace coal-fired power with renewable energy.”

Construction of Transgrid’s 365km nation-critical HumeLink project – which will connect Snowy 2.0 to the grid – is proceeding at pace while planning continues for the delivery of the 240km NSW section of the VNI West project.

Transgrid is also working with governments and industry on other priority transmission infrastructure to support renewable energy zones, increase network capacity and provide new sources of system security.

“The energy transition is not a distant ambition – it is a build that is happening now – and it is demonstrably achievable. Transgrid is playing our part to strengthen the critical energy backbone – EnergyConnect is done, HumeLink is well underway, and the rest of the build is moving at pace,” Mr Redman said. 

Transgrid Executive General Manager of Major Projects Gordon Taylor thanked local communities and landowners for their support during construction. He also congratulated the EnergyConnect project team for overcoming significant challenges to deliver the essential interconnector.

“Construction of EnergyConnect has not been easy, with the project facing a range of challenges from global supply chain impacts, labour shortages, to record inflation, flooding and the insolvency of a delivery partner,” Mr Taylor said.

“This colossal effort has delivered a unified energy backbone to carry stable, lower-cost renewable power exactly where and when it is needed most.

“We are proud to have delivered significant benefits to regional NSW during EnergyConnect’s construction, which created 1,500 jobs, invested $300 million in supply contracts with local businesses, provided education and training opportunities, and funded community projects and partnerships.”

FAST FACTS

EnergyConnect consumer benefits

• Consumers can access the lowest-cost wholesale energy generation available across NSW, Victoria and South Australia
• On average, the generation component of a typical household energy bill is estimated to decrease by up to $30 per year in NSW, $45 in Victoria, and $75 in South Australia as a result of this project
• It is estimated that EnergyConnect will deliver net savings for typical household bills of up to $15 per year in NSW, $45 in Victoria, and $65 in South Australia up to 2050
• Increased reliability and security of electricity supply from stronger connection between the three state grids
• New renewable energy sources in the Riverina and South West NSW integrated into the national grid
• Gross market benefits of $4.2 billion, with net market benefits of $964 million for energy consumers.

EnergyConnect construction (NSW section stages 1 and 2)

• More than 10 million worker hours invested in the project
• 700km of transmission lines from the South Australian border to Red Cliffs in Victoria and Wagga Wagga
• 1,508 towers and monopoles requiring 46,068 tonnes of steel
• 10,385km of high-voltage conductor cabling, enough to span from Sydney to Perth three times
• A 15ha substation at Buronga, comprising synchronous condensers, phase-shifting transformers, shunt reactors, step down transformers, power transformers and capacitor banks
• A 4ha substation at Bundure, with synchronous condensers, shunt reactors and capacitor banks
• Expansion of the existing Wagga Wagga substation.

Media enquiries: Mark Nolan 0429 047 136