Major construction works have commenced on HumeLink—one of the Australia’s biggest electricity transmission infrastructure projects.
The delivery of this project will reinforce New South Wales southern electricity grid and enable the integration of more renewable generation into the National Electricity Market (NEM).
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.
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It will also unlock the full capacity of Snowy 2.0, which will provide an additional 2,200MW of on-demand energy into the grid—enough to power up to three million homes for a week.
Transgrid Group CEO Brett Redman said, “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.
“Nation-building projects such as HumeLink are crucial to helping the Australian Government achieve its new 2035 climate change target of a 62-70% reduction in emissions, compared with 2005 levels.
“Transgrid and our delivery partners will continue to work closely with landowners, communities and key stakeholders as construction of the project proceeds. We will also invest in local communities to create jobs, deliver education and training opportunities, support local businesses, improve community facilities and services, and boost local economies.”
Transgrid has now reached negotiated land access and easement agreements, either in place or agreed in principle, with 98.9% of private landholders for the HumeLink project.
Bannister grazier Ken Ikin, who runs Cloverlee Poll Hereford Stud, will have the HumeLink project span part of his property, which is near the Gullen Range Wind Farm.
Ikin, who has an existing transmission line on his property, said the tower and transmission line that will be installed on his property will not interfere with his operations and livelihood.
“It’s a step forward for the future for our grandchildren and children,” Ikin said.
“The existing line was here the day we came to look at the property. It’s been here for a long time. To put another one alongside and to get paid for it is really, you know, there’s a lot of other things to worry about than that.”
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HumeLink is being designed and constructed in two sections by ACCIONA and GenusPlus Group Joint Venture (HumeLink East) and UGL and CPB Contractors Joint Venture (HumeLink West).
HumeLink West project director Tim Burns said the team looked forward to getting on with the job of delivering the nation-critical project.
“As part of the CIMIC Group, UGL and CPB Contractors are immensely proud to be working with Transgrid to deliver this essential connective infrastructure that will not only unlock the renewable energy capacity of Snowy 2.0, but link an array of new solar and wind projects into the grid,” he said.
