Australia’s largest transmission project is not only enabling Australia’s clean energy transition but is also helping the grid itself go green.
Project EnergyConnect is linking the grids of New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria and once complete, it will enable energy sharing between the three states for the first time.
Transgrid is delivering the 700km New South Wales section from Wagga Wagga to the South Australian border along with a connection to Red Cliffs in Victoria.
Transgrid CEO, Brett Redman, said that sustainability has been embedded at heart of the planning and delivery of the project.
“Transgrid is delivering the nation’s transition to a clean energy future in a sustainable way by designing and constructing critical infrastructure to optimise environmental, social and economic outcomes,” Mr Redman said.
“We’re delivering real sustainability outcomes with innovative solutions to reducing our carbon footprint, minimising the use of energy and water, protecting valuable biodiversity and building in resilience against forecast climate impacts.”
Powering sustainable development
The Infrastructure Sustainability Council has awarded EnergyConnect the highest Design Rating of ‘Leading’, and the this marks the first time a transmission project in Australia has received an official sustainability rating.
“Transgrid is on the frontline of sustainable development and this rating is a critical step towards cementing our reputation as a recognised leader in sustainability,” Mr Redman said.
Infrastructure Sustainability Council Acting CEO, Patrick Hastings, said “EnergyConnect is well-positioned to deliver an asset that will provide a positive ecological benefit while also minimising its contribution to GHG emissions. This is a monumental step for transmission projects and an encouraging sign of progression in the sector.”
The ISC Rating recognises a series of industry-leading initiatives in the design and delivery of the critical interconnector.
This includes a 35 per cent reduction in clearing on the project’s western alignment between Buronga and the South Australian border.
Expert arborists from ENSPEC travelled the entire length of the New South Wales easement.
Principal Arborist and Ecologist, Craig Hallam, said they assessed trees for archaeological, ecological, and cultural significance.
“Our team walked the whole easement, we started at the South Australian border and walked right through to Wagga Wagga and assessed hundreds of thousands of trees along the way,” Mr Hallam said.
“The trees in this environment are critical for the ecology and biodiversity of the area and cultural heritage. The age of some of the trees was more than 300 years and up to 1000 years in some cases.”
Many trees including Aboriginal scar trees have been retained within the transmission line easement while still complying with vegetation clearance requirements. Annual inspections will ensure bushfire safety.
Safeguarding biodiversity
EnergyConnect’s transmission line structures have also been located to avoid valuable biodiversity and culturally sensitive sites.
To offset essential clearing, Transgrid is rolling out the largest nest-box program in Australia to provide habitat for local species.
More than 1500 boxes have been installed on the western alignment with thousands more to follow in the east.
As a Critical State Significant Infrastructure project EnergyConnect is also subject to the New South Wales Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (BOS).
Under the scheme, Transgrid is required to document, via Environmental Impact Statements, how project impacts on biodiversity will be avoided and minimised.
Transgrid is currently establishing Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements (BSAs) on private land.
A BSA sets up a form of private land conservation, where a landholder manages some or all their land for biodiversity, nature, or wildlife conservation purposes.
The agreements are providing unprecedented opportunities to perpetually preserve biodiversity on large swathes of land as Transgrid steps up efforts to protect native flora and fauna.
Transgrid is establishing one of the largest BSAs in the state’s history on an 8,700ha property in south western New South Wales, to protect valuable habitat for endangered birds and flora.
“Transgrid is actively investing in increasing biodiversity and working with landholders and traditional owners, so our natural heritage is protected and enhanced for future generations,” Mr Redman said.
“These agreements give us the opportunity to be at the forefront of preserving valuable biodiversity.”
Tackling waste
Conserving and recycling valuable resources such as water is also a priority on EnergyConnect.
Up to 90 per cent of water used on the project is recycled including water used for construction and dust suppression as well as treating grey water from accommodation camps.
More than 400t of wooden pallets have been recycled along with 50,000 cans and bottles from worker accommodation camps, reducing waste going to landfill.
Materials and equipment were also reviewed to reduce the project’s carbon footprint.
Guyed towers, which require 21 per cent less steel and 15 per cent less concrete compared to conventional self-supporting structures, are being used on the project.
Comprehensive physical risk assessments have also been carried out to safeguard the new infrastructure from the changing climate.
Mr Redman said lessons learned on EnergyConnect will provide a blueprint for other projects.
“We are going above and beyond to set the benchmark in sustainability best practice for the future pipeline of energy transmission projects across the country,” he said.
Empowering local communities
During construction, EnergyConnect has invested tens of millions of dollars with local suppliers in communities along the project alignment.
Transgrid Executive General Manager of Major Projects, Gordon Taylor, said, “We’re maximising the positive social and economic benefits for communities by supporting local businesses to create jobs and economic growth.
“EnergyConnect has so far invested more than $125 million with more than 180 local and First Nations businesses across the Riverina, Murray and Sunraysia regions.”
The Garraway Group, based in Mildura, carried out major earthworks for the Buronga substation – one of the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere.
Garraway Group Managing Director, Russell Garraway, said “We have enjoyed working on the project and are proud of the work that’s been achieved.
“By working on EnergyConnect, we’ve been able to grow our team and in particular our First Nations workforce which is something we’re immensely proud of.”
As construction moves east the business benefits will shift towards the Riverina.
Kennedy Bros Earthmoving in Wagga Wagga has built access points and access tracks for safe vehicle entry and exit from roads to facilitate construction of the transmission line.
The business’s owner Andrew Kennedy said it has allowed the family-owned company to expand.
“It’s a very positive thing to be involved in this project. It gives us certainty for the future and enables us to employ new operators and bring new people into the business.
“We’ve directly employed another eight people and we have also employed another three or four contractors to help complete the works.
“We see it as vital for the existence of local communities for the large companies that come into town to employ locals, keeping the money in the town and enhancing the community,” Mr Kennedy said.
Total Tools in Wagga Wagga is another key local supplier, and Store Manager Nathan Bromham said “It makes a massive difference to what we do. It gives us the confidence to continue to invest heavily in stock and into our staff, so it’s been great for our business.
“It helps keep that money with local businesses and the community so everyone wins at the end of the day.”
Upskilling the workforce
EnergyConnect is creating up to 1500 jobs, mostly in regional New South Wales, and contributing $4 billion in net economic benefits. The project is also investing in training opportunities for people in regional areas.
Legacy 100 is an Australian-first training program to grow the country’s own transmission line construction workforce.
The program allows participants to earn while they learn and gain a Certificate II in Transmission Line Construction.
The first participants have graduated from the program after completing training on EnergyConnect and gaining experience in building high-voltage electricity towers and lines.
“We are investing in the nation’s energy workforce to address regional skills and jobs shortages and reduce reliance on overseas trained workers. Legacy 100 participants will form the backbone of the future workforce in the transmission tower construction industry,” Mr Taylor said.
Transgrid is also partnering with Charles Sturt University to help train the nation’s next generation of engineers.
A $2 million Transgrid Engineering Scholarship Fund is supporting 100 engineering students at the university’s Bathurst campus.
“The energy superhighway made up of EnergyConnect, VNI West and HumeLink is being built in regional New South Wales and will require world-class engineering expertise,” Mr Redman said.
“These scholarships will support the next generation of engineers through their training and help to address a critical skills shortage in regional Australia.”
Construction of the first line on the New South Wales side of the project has been completed between Buronga and the South Australian border, with works on the other three lines progressing.
Work on the first line included the erection of 291 towers using 6,000t of steel and the stringing of 1900km of conductor cabling.
Mr Taylor said it is significant milestone for EnergyConnect.
“We are getting on with the job of delivering this nation-critical transmission infrastructure that will deliver cleaner, cheaper renewable energy to millions of customers and help achieve Australia’s emissions reduction targets.”
Featured image: Transgrid CEO Brett Redman on site near Buronga. Image credit: Transgrid.
