South Australia is poised to capitalise on years of transmission and renewable energy investment, with the state’s peak electricity demand set to double over the next 15 years to more than 6.5 gigawatts.
With access to affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity created by South Australia’s “world-leading renewable electricity system”, ElectraNet suggests the state has a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to capitalise on expansions in mining, steelmaking, defence and AI industries.
It comes as ElectraNet releases its annual Transmission Annual Planning Report (TAPR), which analyses South Australia’s transmission capacity as electricity demand grows.
The 2026 TAPR forecasts increased connection demand from Greater Adelaide, the Mid North and South East regions as data centres are increasingly integrated, while defence industry development at Osborne Naval Shipyard is set to also drive increased electricity demand.
The mining-prospective regions of the Eyre Peninsula and Upper Spencer Gulf are set to drive growth along with the Northern Water project connecting a desalination plant at Mullaquana Station with inland water offtakers. Whyalla’s steel industry is also set to be invigorated.
Despite the state’s potential, ElectraNet cautioned that harnessing this economic opportunity hinges on the “planning and enhancement” of infrastructure.
“Transmission infrastructure will be vital to create an electricity superhighway, taking energy from the source to where it is needed, and managing the peaks and troughs of demand,” ElectraNet chief executive officer Simon Emms said.
“So while South Australia has an exciting economic opportunity ahead, we must have the ability to take it. It is vital that we get the planning right and that regulators and governing bodies continue to evolve with us as we tackle truly unique energy circumstances.”
Emms said ElectraNet was focused on the “timely and efficient” development of transmission infrastructure to support South Australia’s energy transition and economic growth.
The TNSP played a key role in the development of the multi-state EnergyConnect interconnector, completing the South Australian section in December 2023.
A 206km transmission line extends from Robertstown in the Mid North region of SA to the SA/NSW border and includes the state’s first 330kV substation at Bundey. The first stage of EnergyConnect was turned on in April 2025.
ElectraNet’s 2026 TAPR highlights the importance of three other transmission projects, including the Northern Transmission project spanning the northern and eastern parts of SA; the Eyre Peninsula Upgrade that will expand the Cultana–Yadnarie lines to operate at 275kV; and the South-East Expansion supporting timber processing, biomass and wind energy generation industries.
Read ElectraNet’s 2026 TAPR here.
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