A transmission line central to unlocking the full capacity of Snowy 2.0 and other renewable energy assets in NSW has commenced construction.
Extending 365km long, HumeLink is expected to deliver more than $1 billion in net benefits to the Australian economy and serve as a critical backbone to the National Electricity Market (NEM) by reinforcing the southern grid.
HumeLink will form part of an ‘energy superhighway’, connecting with EnergyConnect (a transmission project stretching 900km across NSW, Victoria and South Australia) at Wagga Wagga, and helping to bring renewable energy from solar and wind generators in south-west NSW into the market.
Transgrid, which is overseeing the project, has contracted ACCIONA and Genus to carry out the eastern segment of HumeLink, with UGL and CPB Contractors delivering the western portion of the project.
“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,” Transgrid chief executive officer Brett 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 per cent reduction in emissions, compared with 2005 levels.”
Transgrid has achieved negotiated land access and easement agreements with 98.9 per cent of private landholders for HumeLink. This includes grazier Ken Ikin of Cloverlee Poll Hereford Stud, who will have HumeLink span part of his property.
Ikin said a new transmission line would 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.”
HumeLink is expected to create 1600 construction jobs and generate $6.3 billion of direct and indirect investment for the regional economy.
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