EnergyConnect delivers $4.1 billion in social value over three years

Independent analysis of the broader social and economic value on regional communitiesof the nation-critical 900-kilometre, 800 MW transfer capacity infrastructure project EnergyConnect has found over the past three years, it is valued at $4.1 billion (USD 2.9 billion).

The Transgrid EnergyConnect Social Value Report June 2023-June 2026, documents specific initiatives contributing to the project’s multi-billion dollar social value boost.

These include, $2 billion invested in supply contracts with Australian and southern ew South Wales (NSW) businesses including 353 local companies across the Riverina, Murray and Sunraysia regions.

The report finds 2,193 local people and 94 apprentices have received employment related to the project and its Legacy 100 program training a transmission line construction workforce to support the nation’s energy transition equates to $2 million.

Consequently, workers have undertaken 7,027 accredited training bolstered by the $1.5 million Workforce Development Strategic Partnership between Transgrid and Regional Development Australia (RDA), that has delivered jobs and skills boost to the Riverina and Murray Regions.

One hundred engineering scholarships through regions-based Charles Sturt University campuses equate to a $2 million investment, while $100 million has been awarded for environmental stewardship including biodiversity conservation areas totalling 23,000ha to protect some of Australia’s most threatened species.

First Nations businesses have been the recipients of $23 million worth of supply contracts, and  31 First Nations people and 11 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander apprentices have been employed by the project.

More than 5,000 Indigenous artefacts up to 3,000 years-old have been salvaged, protected, catalogued and returned to Country following project construction.

Transgrid Corporate Affairs, Stakeholder Engagement and Environment Executive General Manager Maryanne Graham said regional communities deserve real and meaningful benefits that reflect their vital contribution to the energy transition.

“We are proud that through projects like EnergyConnect we’ve been able to deliver an extraordinary social and economic legacy,” Graham said.

“From jobs and apprenticeships, to supply contracts for local and First Nations businesses, training opportunities, environmental initiatives, and funding for community facilities and services, EnergyConnect has delivered more than $4.1 billion in social value for regional communities.”

“This evidence will help us shape future environmental and social programs by identifying which activities deliver the greatest value for regional communities hosting critical transmission infrastructure to support our energy transition.”

The report has been independently prepared by United-Kingdom headquartered data analysis tech company Social Value Portal using its proprietary Global TOM System.

Construction of a 700 km NSW section of EnergyConnect, from the South Australian (SA) border to Wagga Wagga, NSW and into Victoria, was completed in 2026, comprising 1,500 towers, 10,000 km of high-voltage cabling, and 10 million worker hours.