Email VNIW@transgrid.com.au or call 1800 955 588 for information and updates on the VNI West project in NSW.

Overview

The Victoria to NSW Interconnector West – known as VNI West – is a proposed new 500 kV double circuit transmission line connecting the high voltage electricity grids in New South Wales and Victoria.

VNI West is being jointly developed with Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) and will connect major projects EnergyConnect in NSW and Western Renewables Link in Victoria. The preferred option runs from Transgrid’s Dinawan substation north of Jerilderie in NSW to new substations proposed near Kerang and Bulgana in Victoria.

VNI West Interactive Map

This interactive map shows the preferred route for VNI West along with some of the key considerations influencing the route. Layers showing different considerations can be turned on or off using the map menu. 

Project Status

200m Transmission Line Corridor and NSW/Victoria border crossing identified

Transgrid has identified a 200m wide transmission line corridor where the new transmission line in NSW could be located between the 'Dinawan' substation (being built north of Jerilderie as part of EnergyConnect) and the Murray River, north of Kerang.

This 200m corridor will undergo assessment for the project's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The 200m corridor will be further refined to a final 70 metre wide transmission line easement through detailed technical and environmental studies as part of the EIS and negotiations with landowners.

In consultation with Transmission Company Victoria (TCV), an area has been identified where the Transmission line could cross the Murray River. There will be ongoing assessment to ensure that VNI West is aligned at the border.

Secretary's Environment Assessment Requirements (SEARS)

On 4 October 2024, Transgrid received a copy of the NSW Planning Secretary's environmental assessment requirements (SEARs) for the project, which include all the environmental assessment requirements in relations to matters of national environmental significance identified in the Commonwealth Minister's 'controlled action' decision.

With the issuing of SEARs, Transgrid can prepare the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the NSW side of VNI West. This involves continuation of field surveys and development and design of the project.

Why is the project needed?

Network congestion is increasing in some areas of NSW and Victoria – so is the energy system’s reliance on the benefits of interconnection between regions. Well-targeted and timely investment in the transmission network is needed to keep pace with these changes and provide consumers with the most cost-effective energy outcomes - while maintaining reliability and security.

VNI West is a core component and listed as an actionable project in the Australian Energy Market Operator's (AEMO) 2024 Integrated System Plan, which confirms the need for both short- and longer-term investment, to increase the transfer capacity between states in the National Electricity Market (NEM).

Project benefits

Projects such as VNI West represent once-in-a-generation opportunities to re-shape the NSW and Victorian transmission networks in a way that delivers the best possible value to electricity customers over the long term.

The project will:

  • increase in the capacity to share electricity between NSW and Victoria
  • improve the reliability and security of electricity supply in both states
  • increase access to renewable energy sources
  • create an economic boost for regional communities through the provision of jobs, training and local supply opportunities
  • help achieve renewable energy targets and the overall decarbonisation of the National Electricity Market (NEM), while continuing to deliver safe, reliable and affordable electricity to consumers

See the VNI West fact sheet for more information.

Community Engagement

Information sessions

With the 200 metre wide transmission line corridor announced, and the NSW Government issuing SEARS, we are now developing the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for VNI West.

We are planning further sessions in February 2025 and will advise of dates soon.

Community Survey on Social Impacts and Community Benefits

We're welcoming feedback via participation in a community survey to help Transgrid better understand the potential social impacts of VNI West in NSW on landowners and the community, both positive and negative, during construction and operation of the project.

We’re also seeking broader feedback on themes and topics related to community investment and benefits, which will help our assessment of community investment and benefit initiatives – some of which were identified in our August workshops.

We welcome your feedback to this survey. We've extended the response period until Thursday 12 December 2024.

Your participation in this survey is voluntary and confidential. All information collected will be managed in accordance with Transgrid’s privacy policy.

VNI West Community Consultative Group (CCG)

Transgrid has established a Community Consultative Group (CCG) to provide a forum for community members, stakeholders and local councils to seek information from Transgrid and to provide feedback to inform corridor refinement and the subsequent Environmental Assessment process.

The purpose of the group is to:

  • provide a forum for open and constructive discussions about the VNI West project
  • help Transgrid better understand community perspectives and issues related to the project
  • work with Transgrid to develop ideas for community benefits and project legacy.

The upcoming meeting schedule is provided below.

Meeting

Timing 

Meeting 7

27 November 2024

Agendas and minutes will be published about two weeks after each meeting. The CCG will operate under the Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct.

For further information please email the CCG Secretariat Reem Nasr at Reem.Nasr@transgrid.com.au

CCG Resources

Meeting 6 - 29 August 2024

Document

PDF 331.35 KB

Document

PDF 4.92 MB

Meeting 5 - 5 June 2024

Document

PDF 480.12 KB

Document

PDF 4.31 MB

Meeting 4 - 20 March 2024

Document

PDF 323.41 KB

Document

PDF 2.36 MB

Meeting 3 - 31 January 2024

Document

PDF 363.81 KB

Document

PDF 5.31 MB

CCG Meetings 2023

Document

PDF 602.93 KB

Document

PDF 4.32 MB

Document

PDF 353.10 KB

Document

PDF 7.43 MB

Community and landowner information

Route development

Document

PDF 4.68 MB

Document

PDF 23.32 MB

Document

PDF 3.66 MB

Document

PDF 39.43 MB

Project updates and Fact sheets

Document

PDF 598.38 KB

Document

PDF 1.24 MB

Document

PDF 1.97 MB

Document

PDF 389.61 KB

Document

PDF 1.10 MB

Document

PDF 0.99 MB

Document

PDF 1.21 MB

Document

PDF 921.27 KB

Landowner guidelines

Document

PDF 1.45 MB

Document

PDF 3.58 MB

Contact us

For information and updates on the VNI West project in NSW, contact Transgrid via email VNIW@transgrid.com.au or call 1800 955 588.

For information relating to the VNI West project in Victoria, please visit the Transmission Company Victoria webpage or email enquiries@transmissionvictoria.com.au

Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T)

The RIT-T is an economic cost-benefit test conducted early on in a transmission project, to determine if it will deliver economic benefits to electricity consumers. 
As part of the RIT-T process, a preferred option must be identified that maximises the net market benefits for consumers while meeting the power system needs. 
This preferred option establishes the broad area of interest for the project, including locations for connecting the project into the existing network. 
Assessment under the RIT-T is required prior to completing route identification, and planning and approvals processes. 
The RIT-T consultation process involves the publication of three reports, which are available below along with an additional Consultation Report published in February:
To view submissions to the PSCR, PADR and Additional Consultation report, visit the stakeholder consultation section on the AEMO project page
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) published its determination of a dispute regarding the application of the RIT-T on 16 October 2023.

 

Previous Resources

Document

PDF 419.29 KB

Document

PDF 5.45 MB

Document

PDF 4.70 MB

Document

PDF 3.01 MB

Document

PDF 777.85 KB

Document

PDF 2.59 MB

Document

PDF 748.75 KB
VNI West

26 March 2024

Community consultation leads to route change for VNI West

Transgrid has modified the preferred route for the nation-critical VNI West project in direct response to feedback from the local community and landowners during recent consultation.

VNI West

29 January 2024

Communities and landowners encouraged to review short-listed routes for major transmission project VNI West

Transgrid is encouraging communities and landowners in the state’s Murray River region to review the preferred route for the new interconnector project VNI West, which once completed, will accelerate the energy transition and greatly increase the sharing of cheaper, renewable electricity for millions of Australians.

VNI West

21 July 2023

Transgrid extends community feedback period for major transmission project

Following feedback from community and landowners, Transgrid has extended the consultation period about the Draft Corridor Report for the Victoria to NSW Interconnector West project (VNI West).