Construction has officially commenced on the HumeLink project, a new 500kV transmission line which will connect Wagga Wagga, Bannaby and Maragle.
It is one of NSW’s largest energy infrastructure projects, with about 365 km of new transmission lines, and new or upgraded infrastructure at four locations.
The project is expected to enable the integration of more renewable generation into the National Electricity Market (NEM), helping to realise Australia’s transition to cleaner, more affordable energy and meet the Australian Government’s recently announced emissions targets.
Providing a critical backbone to the NEM by reinforcing the southern grid, it will connect at Wagga Wagga with EnergyConnect and form the energy superhighway needed to help bring cheaper, cleaner renewable energy online from solar and wind generators in south-west NSW.
It will also unlock the full capacity of Snowy 2.0, which will provide an additional 2200 megawatts of on-demand energy into the grid – enough to power up to three million homes for a week.
Transgrid Group CEO, Brett Redman, said the 365km transmission line is expected to deliver more than $1 billion in net benefits to the Australian economy and provide consumers in NSW with better access to cleaner, more affordable electricity.
“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,” 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.”
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