The delivery of this project will reinforce NSW’s southern electricity grid and enable the integration of more renewable generation into the National Electricity Market (NEM), helping to realise Australia’s transition to cleaner, more affordable energy and meet the Australian Government’s recently announced emissions targets.
Providing a critical backbone to the NEM by reinforcing the southern grid, it will connect at Wagga Wagga with EnergyConnect and form the energy superhighway needed to help bring cheaper, cleaner renewable energy online from solar and wind generators in south-west NSW.
It will also unlock the full capacity of Snowy 2.0, which will provide an additional 2,200 MW of on-demand energy into the grid – enough to power up to three million homes for a week.
Transgrid Group CEO, Brett Redman, said the 365 km transmission line is expected to deliver more than $1 billion in net benefits to the Australian economy and provide consumers in NSW with better access to cleaner, more affordable electricity.
“This is a pivotal moment for the country’s energy transition as Transgrid and our delivery partners get on with the job of delivering this once-in-a-generation project that will help make Australia’s clean energy transition a reality,” Redman said.
“HumeLink is a major step forward in delivering the sustainable, affordable and reliable energy all Australians deserve. I want to thank the Australian Government and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation for supporting this critical project under the Rewiring the Nation program.”
“Nation-building projects such as HumeLink are crucial to helping the Australian government achieve its new 2035 climate change target of a 62 to 70% reduction in emissions, compared with 2005 levels.”
“Transgrid and our delivery partners will continue to work closely with landowners, communities and key stakeholders as construction of the project proceeds. We will also invest in local communities to create jobs, deliver education and training opportunities, support local businesses, improve community facilities and services, and boost local economies.”
Transgrid has now reached negotiated land access and easement agreements, either in place or agreed in principle, with 98.9 percent of private landholders for the HumeLink project.
Bannister grazier Ken Ikin, who runs Cloverlee Poll Hereford Stud, will have the HumeLink project span part of his property, which is near the Gullen Range Wind Farm.
Ikin, who has an existing transmission line on his property, said the tower and transmission line that will be installed on his property will not interfere with his operations and livelihood.
“It’s a step forward for the future for our grandchildren and children,” Ikin said.
“The existing line was here the day we came to look at the property. It’s been here for a long time. To put another one alongside and to get paid for it is really, you know, there’s a lot of other things to worry about than that.”
In a significant win for regional NSW, HumeLink is expected to create 1,600 construction jobs and deliver $6.3 billion of direct and indirect investment into the regional economy.
The project is being designed and constructed in two sections by ACCIONA and GenusPlus Group Joint Venture (HumeLink East) and UGL and CPB Contractors Joint Venture (HumeLink West).
HumeLink East Project Director Carel Nagel said ACCIONA and GenusPlus Group are incredibly proud to be part of the landmark project.
“It is a privilege for our whole team to be part of such a significant project for Australia’s energy future. This has been in the planning phase for a long time and it’s great to see the success of early works which has set us up for main construction,” Nagel said.
HumeLink West Project Director Tim Burns said the team looks forward to getting on with the job of delivering the nation-critical project.
“As part of the CIMIC Group, UGL and CPB Contractors are immensely proud to be working with Transgrid to deliver this essential connective infrastructure that will not only unlock the renewable energy capacity of Snowy 2.0, but link an array of new solar and wind projects into the grid,” Burns said.
HumeLink construction fast facts
- 365km of new 500 kV transmission lines connecting Wagga Wagga, Maragle and Bannaby
- New or upgraded infrastructure at four substation locations
- 9,384km of conductor cabling, enough to span from Sydney to Perth and back again
- 835 new transmission towers using 52,610 tonnes of steel
- 47,400 cubic metres of concrete for substation works and tower footings
- Temporary camps at Adjungbilly, Kunama, Tarcutta and Yass accommodating up to 1,200 workers
- 10 compounds across the alignment to store materials, equipment and machinery
- Local procurement and investment in regional economies.
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