Central-West Orana Transmission Project
The Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) will be serviced by new transmission network infrastructure, including transmission lines and energy hubs, which will transfer power generated by solar and wind farms to electricity consumers. This infrastructure will be critical for the successful operation of the REZ. EnergyCo is leading the development of the REZ transmission network infrastructure as the Infrastructure Planner for the REZs in NSW.
New England REZ network infrastructure project
The New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) will be serviced by new transmission network infrastructure, including transmission lines and energy hubs, and enabling infrastructure which will transfer power generated by solar and wind farms to electricity consumers. This infrastructure will be critical for the successful operation of the REZ. EnergyCo is leading the development of the REZ transmission network infrastructure as the Infrastructure Planner for the REZs in NSW. Some of this infrastructure will need to be built outside the New England REZ geographical area to connect the REZ to the main backbone transmission network. EnergyCo is in the early stages of assessing what new network infrastructure should be built to unlock and service the New England REZ.
Hunter Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone
EnergyCo is in the early stages of planning a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) in the Hunter and Central Coast regions on the lands of the Awabakal, Bahtabah, Biraban, Darkinjung, Mindaribba, Wanaruah and Worimi people.
The Hunter and Central Coast regions have unique features which make them ideal locations for a REZ. These regions have excellent renewable energy resources and can utilise existing power stations, rehabilitated mining land, electricity network infrastructure, port and transport infrastructure and a skilled workforce.
Waratah Super Battery
The Waratah Super Battery project is a System Integrity Protection Scheme (SIPS) designed to act as a 'shock absorber' in the event of any sudden power surges, including from bush fires or lightning strikes. The SIPS also provides a virtual transmission solution that increases the capacity of the existing transmission system, allowing electricity consumers in the Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra regions to access more energy from existing generators. The Waratah Super Battery project is being delivered as a priority transmission infrastructure project under the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020 (the Act), and is the first such project to be delivered under this Act. On 14 October 2022, the Minister for Energy appointed Transgrid as network operator and formally directed Transgrid to carry out the Waratah Super Battery project under the Act
Port to Renewable Energy Zones
EnergyCo and Transport for NSW are working to upgrade road intersections and pinch-points along the state-road network to enable the movement of oversize and over-mass (OSOM) loads for renewable energy equipment. Initial upgrades with take place on road sections between the Port of Newcastle and the Central-West Orana and New England REZs.
Road upgrades are expected to start from late 2024. These works are estimated to be completed in late 2025 to enable the passage of OSOM loads.
