Transgrid has commenced early planning on Sydney Ring South, a project that could double the capacity of the city’s southern transmission corridor.
An initial assessment report has been released on the project, detailing a preferred technical option that would potentially deliver an estimated $3.2 billion in net market benefits for NSW consumers and the broader economy.
This could involve upgrading the existing 330kV network by 2030–31, while a new 500kV transmission line connecting southern New South Wales near Bannaby to south-western Sydney is also being explored.
If it gets off the ground, Sydney Ring South would play a key role in the National Electricity Market (NEM), integrating with other transmission projects such EnergyConnect, HumeLink and VNI West, and provide a pathway for Snowy 2.0 and NSW’s South West Renewable Energy Zone.
Transgrid undertook initial modelling and technical analysis as part of the draft assessment report. It comes after the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) draft Integrated System Plan highlighted Sydney Ring South as a key cog in the NEM’s optimal development path (ODP).
Transgrid executive general manager – network Jason Krstanoski said the community is encouraged to have their say on the project.
“As coal-fired power stations reach end-of-life, our electricity is increasingly sourced from lower-cost renewable energy sources located across NSW,” he said.
“That means the existing transmission corridor approaching Sydney from the south is under increasing pressure, creating a bottleneck that limits electricity flow and reduces our ability to deliver new cheaper forms of power to our rapidly growing cities and support an increasingly electrified modern economy.
“The Australian Market Energy Operator has identified Sydney Ring South as a safe, secure and reliable long-term electricity supply solution for Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle, which collectively account for three-quarters of NSW’s energy demand.
“By opening up the supply of lower-cost renewable energy, we anticipate Sydney Ring South would enable annual power bill savings of up to $51 for a typical NSW household and around $110 for an average small business.”
Sydney Ring South would link greater Sydney with the vast renewable energy sources being generated and transported across the state and broader NEM.
The project would also support industrial growth in western Sydney, Australia’s third largest and fastest growing economy, including advanced manufacturing, logistics, health, education, aviation and digital services such as data centres.
A assessment draft report is open to submissions until August 28. Learn more here.
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