The state’s aging coal-fired power stations are reaching the end of their technical lives and with some closing faster than expected, the Hunter Transmission Project (HTP) will be operating by 2028 to help transport energy from NSW’s Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) to the east coast.
The HTP involves building a new above-ground 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line about 115 kilometers long between the Bayswater Power Station in the Upper Hunter and the Eraring Power Station at Lake Macquarie to create a ring of transmission infrastructure that will provide the backbone of the State’s new electricity grid.
Both the State and Federal Governments have recognised the importance of the project – the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces has declared the HTP Critical State Significant Infrastructure, but it will still need approval from the Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Water.
Jesslyn Ireland, the HTP Deputy Project Director for EnergyCo said the project will also unlock the electricity supply generated from the Central-West Orana and New England REZs.
“The key thing about the HTP is that it’s going to create a 500kV ring of transmission infrastructure that will provide the backbone of the state’s new electricity grid and importantly unlock that REZ electricity supply.
“We have created a route that utilises mining land, government land and Defence land so we can avoid to the best of our ability the local community and reduce our impact.
“We have been working closely with several mining companies in the area. They are definitely part of the solution to the clean energy transition and we’re looking to minimise impacts on people as much as possible so by enabling us to use mining, industrial and government land we’ve been able to do that,” said Jesslyn.
The HTP preliminary corridor was placed on public exhibition in November last year with 250 submissions received.
“The community’s main concerns were whether it was on their land or not which is fair enough, and given the route also went through quite a significant area of State Forrest a number of people were concerned about the biodiversity impacts and impacts to Aboriginal and cultural heritage items.
“We got a lot of genuine feedback which we are now taking into consideration, and it is having influence on the design and location of the project. We are preparing to come back out to the community in about April with new and updated information about a revised corridor and next steps.”
The HTP regional reference group was put together earlier this year to facilitate strategic discussions between EnergyCo and the Hunter community. The group is made up of prominent locals including three Mayors, three business leaders and three community representatives.
“It’s important that we are engaging with people who are familiar with the region, we want to develop really productive relationships with all of our key stakeholders, and I think the regional reference group will only help those conversations progress in the right direction,” said Jesslyn.
The project team believe they have an equally productive relationship with the mining companies right along the HTP route.
“I think those relationships with the mining companies today are quite productive,” said Jesslyn.
“Mining has always been a big part of the NSW economy and is particularly important in the NSW Hunter region, which is home to the lion’s share of the state’s coal fired power plants. These power stations are now retiring and as we are moving towards a renewable powered grid and as this happens the region will continue to be a hub for new and existing infrastructure.
“Our role is to deliver the infrastructure NSW needs for the transition to clean energy.
“I think it’s all being designed to deliver that solution, to make sure there is enough, and we are working closely with AEMO Services as Consumer Trustee and more broadly NSW Government to make sure things are happening on time and ultimately making sure that the lights don’t go out in NSW.”
Engagement on the project is ongoing with more opportunities for feedback as it progresses. The HTP is on track to be operating by 2028.
