Key section of Australia's biggest electricity project gets planning approval

The decision by the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Rob Stokes, comes after a thorough review of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for works in the state’s southwest.

“EnergyConnect will save NSW customers $180 million per year, create up to 1500 jobs and contribute a further $4 billion in economic activity for the state,” said Transgrid’s Acting CEO Brian Salter.

“The interconnector is one of the largest projects ever proposed in the National Electricity Market and it will facilitate Australia’s energy transition, bringing a reduction in carbon emissions and helping the nation meet its climate change targets,” said Mr Salter.

“The project will be the critical missing link in the NEM, connecting more renewable generation and reinforcing connectivity between the state grids of NSW, South Australia and Victoria.”

In May, 2021, Transgrid confirmed the company would invest $1.834 billion in the project.

The western section of the project includes works between the NSW/SA Border near Renmark Rd, Transgrid’s existing substation at Buronga, and the NSW/Victorian border near Monak.

The NSW Government declared the NSW section of EnergyConnect as Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) in August 2019. Transgrid is preparing a separate EIS for works between Buronga and Wagga Wagga. This includes a key section between Dinawan (south of Coleambally) and Wagga, which will now be upgraded, with these works being underwritten by the Federal Government.

The Federal Government recently announced the $180 million upgrade which will future-proof the transmission network. It is critical for the development of the planned South West Renewable Energy Zone and it will enable the full benefits of Snowy 2.0.

This investment means NSW households would avoid paying an additional amount of approximately $600 million to build a new connection in this section of EnergyConnect in the future.

The upgrade does not impact timeframes for the EIS, which is still expected to be on public display early in 2022.

For more information about EnergyConnect, go to: https://www.transgrid.com.au/energyconnect 

Media enquiries:

Michelle Stone 0438 293917 
michelle.stone@transgrid.com.au