Landmark Rewiring the Nation deal to fast-track clean energy jobs and security in NSW
The Albanese and Perrottet Governments today announced a landmark deal to connect New South Wales’ Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and plug Snowy 2.0 into the grid.
The joint $7.8 billion deal will back eight critical transmission and REZ projects, supporting more than 3,900 jobs in the regions.
The Federal Government’s Rewiring the Nation plan will enable $4.7 billion from the Commonwealth to join with $3.1 billion from the NSW Transmission Acceleration Facility, to help NSW realise its Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap and increase reliability across the east coast grid.
This agreement will unlock the below critical transmission and REZ projects:
1. Sydney Ring – Hunter Transmission Project (HTP);
2. Central-West Orana (CWO) Renewable Energy Zones (REZ);
3. New England (NE) REZ;
4. HumeLink;
5. VNI West;
6. Hunter-Central Coast (HCC) REZ, including potential offshore wind opportunities;
7. Sydney Ring – Southern Sydney Ring; and
8. South-West REZ.
Australia’s electricity grid needs to be strengthened and reconfigured to meet the demands of the rapidly changing electricity market it serves.
Today’s agreement marks the next step in its urgent upgrade to ensure reliability and affordability across the network.
This latest Rewiring the Nation backing follows the landmark deal between the Commonwealth, Tasmanian and Victorian governments for two undersea cables to link Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation projects to the mainland; the Victorian leg of VNI West (Kerang Link); and a range of REZ projects, including offshore wind.
“The Commonwealth has worked hand in glove with the states and territories to shield Australian households and businesses from the worst impacts of the energy crisis caused by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine," said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“But as well as that critical short-term action, the Australian economy can seize the opportunity of more affordable and reliable renewable energy over the long term– creating jobs in the regions that have always powered Australia, and insulating ourselves from global fossil fuel shocks at the same time.
“Support for critical transmission infrastructure like Sydney Ring, VNI West and HumeLink, to get across the line, will help transform Australia into a renewable energy superpower.”
“This is a huge win for NSW that will create new energy jobs across the state and unlock cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy," said NSW Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean.
"This investment will support the delivery of our Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap through fast-tracking the development of REZs and transmission infrastructure."
“These projects are expected to support more than 3,900 jobs during the construction of this critical transmission infrastructure.”
