The first transmission tower has been raised in Australia’s first renewable energy zone (REZ)—the Central-West Orana REZ in New South Wales.
The 70m, 500kV transmission tower was pre-assembled on the ground in 19 sections by network operator ACEREZ and lifted into place by crane. The tower was built using 2,862 steel components and 6,252 bolts.
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The Central-West Orana REZ will deliver enough energy to power more than 2 million homes and will ramp up from 2028, keeping the lights on and putting downward pressure on prices as coal-fired power stations retire.
The REZ is expected to attract up to $25 billion in private investment and is forecast to support 1,850 direct jobs in the local area during construction and about 930 ongoing operational jobs.
More than 110 local businesses are already working on the project, with more than a third of the workforce drawn from the region.
The Central-West Orana REZ is also delivering $128 million in Community and Employment Benefit Program grants to the region. More than $72 million has already been awarded to support 75 projects across local communities: from housing to water infrastructure, skills training centres and sporting facilities.
More funding will flow over the coming decades through fees paid by energy generators that connect to the REZ network infrastructure.
The recently announced ACEREZ Community Grants Program will also award up to $4 million to community initiatives across the Central-West Orana REZ this year.
EnergyCo CEO Hannah McCaughey said, “Reaching this milestone reflects years of planning and collaboration with landholders, communities, industry and our delivery partner ACEREZ.
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“EnergyCo is focused on making sure this infrastructure is delivered safely, efficiently and in a way that creates lasting benefits for the Central‑West Orana region and the state.”
