Victoria to NSW Interconnector West

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

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.

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.

NSW Government recognises project's significance

The Preferred Route Report for VNI West (26 March 2024) identified an area around 1km wide where VNI West transmission line could be located. Transgrid welcomes the NSW Government's recognition of the VNI West project on 3 July 2024 as Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI), deemed essential to the state for economic, social or environmental reasons.

Following the CSSI declaration, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) will issue Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements to Transgrid so we can prepare an Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for community feedback.

You can read the NSW Government's announcement here.

AER approves VNI West early works

The Australian Energy Regulator announced its decision in May 2024 to approve investment in early works for VNI West.

This allows Transgrid to progress with:

• obtaining state and federal planning approvals
• community engagement, including work to negotiate easements on properties
• design of transmission lines and substations
• securing equipment such as transformers and conductors which have long lead times

The early works also include provision for EnergyConnect to construct over 160km of 500kV transmission line infrastructure from Dinawan to Wagga Wagga, and substation expansion and interface work between the Wagga Wagga (Gregadoo) substation and new Gugaa substation (planned as part of HumeLink).

Transgrid is now working with landowners and undertaking targeted surveys within the preferred route to identify a 200m wide construction corridor. This will be subject to an environmental impact assessment and approval by the NSW and Commonwealth governments.

This Project Update Brochure summarises the Preferred Route Report and outlines the environmental assessment and approvals pathway.

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. 

Explore the interactive map

As part of the VNI West project’s development, we invite the local community to participate in shaping how VNI West can provide benefits to the area.

We would like to thank everyone who joined us and participated in discussions at our recent in-person and online sessions.

We are working on the information and initiatives the community has shared with us through the focus group sessions. We encourage community members or groups with ideas to reach out and email us at vniw@transgrid.com.au or phone us on 1800 955 588.

There will be further opportunities to have input on the initiatives that will be prepared for further assessment as a part of this process.

Any upcoming dates will be published here.

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.

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

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. 

• Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) - December 2019
• Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) – July 2022
• Additional Consultation Report – February 2023
• Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) Volume 1 – May 2023
• Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) Volume 2 – May 2023