The New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) is one step closer to connecting its 8 gigawatts of network capacity to the grid, following lodgement of the scoping report for the New England REZ network infrastructure project.
The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) report outlines the infrastructure needed to connect the New England REZ with the existing electricity grid in the Upper Hunter and provides a preliminary analysis of matters to be assessed in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
EnergyCo chief executive James Hay said the report marks the official start in the project’s planning process and is an exciting step towards delivering clean, affordable, and reliable energy to NSW electricity consumers.
“The REZ is expected to deliver $10.7 billion in private sector investment, more than 2,000 jobs in construction and dedicated funding for community benefits,” Mr Hay said.
“The transmission infrastructure needed to deliver this includes two new 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines between Bayswater near Muswellbrook and the New England REZ, as well as a network of new 500kV and 330kV transmission lines and four new energy hubs within the zone.”
New England REZ Executive Project Director Doug Parris said the scoping report includes a preferred study corridor for the network infrastructure project, which has been developed following ongoing consultation and field investigations since June 2023.
“The preferred study corridor is generally 1 kilometre wide and incorporates some narrower sections where co-location with existing infrastructure is proposed,” Mr Parris said.
“Lodgement of the scoping report does not mean the corridor is finalised. EnergyCo will continue to work with landowners and undertake field studies to better understand constraints and opportunities for the transmission route.”
“This is a critical step to further refine the corridor and find optimal locations for the transmission line easements, which will be up to 80 metres wide for each line.”
Planning and Communities Executive Director Ash Albury said EnergyCo will be holding a series of information sessions across the region to support the release of the scoping report.
“These information sessions are a great opportunity for community members to find out more about the project and discuss the details of the scoping report with our team,” Mr Albury said.
“EnergyCo will continue to assess and refine the corridor in consultation with the community throughout preparation of the EIS and the planning approval process.”
Following the release of the scoping report, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure will issue Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements which will outline the requirements that must be addressed in the project’s EIS. The EIS is expected to be finalised and placed on public exhibition in late 2025.
The release of the scoping report comes after the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces declared the New England REZ transmission project as Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI). The declaration means the project is considered essential to the state for economic, environmental or social reasons.
Community information sessions
• Tuesday 27 August, 3.30pm to 6.30pm Muswellbrook Tertiary Education Centre, 87 Hill Street, Muswellbrook
• Wednesday 28 August, 3.30pm to 6.30pm Murrurundi CWA, 109 Mayne Street, Murrurundi
• Thursday 29 August, 3.30pm to 6.30pm Acacia Function Centre, 559-597 Burgmanns Lane, Tamworth NSW 2340
• Tuesday 3 September, 3.30pm to 6.30pm Woolomin-Duncans Creek War Memorial Hall, 53 Nundle Road, Woolomin
• Wednesday 4 September, 3.30pm to 6.30pm Uralla Neighbour Centre, 27 Salisbury Street, Uralla
• Thursday 5 September, 3.30pm to 6.30pm Armidale Hall, 127 Rusden Street, Armidale
For more information on the scoping report or to view the project’s new interactive map, visit energyco.nsw.gov.au/ne