Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, and Essential Energy have launched the inaugural NSW Distribution System Plan (DSP), which marks the first time the three electricity distribution businesses have come together to develop a single, unified blueprint.
Independent modelling shows NSW could unlock between $2 billion to $4.3 billion in value by utilising available network capacity and integrating Consumer Energy Resources (CER) like rooftop solar, batteries, and electric vehicles.
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Ausgrid group executive external affairs and strategy Tim Jarratt said, “The DSP is an Australia-first roadmap that finally shines a light on the ‘missing middle’—our distribution networks.
“It proves that by using our existing assets smarter, we can deliver billions of dollars in value, significantly de-risk the transition, and buy up to five years of breathing room while critical transmission infrastructure is built,” he said.
Endeavour Energy general manager future grid and asset management Colin Crisafulli said optimising the grid would maximise the value of consumer resources like solar, batteries, and electric vehicles.
“We’re not just waiting for major transmission to be built, we’re actively transforming today’s network into a dynamic, flexible platform that coordinates consumer energy resources in real time. This reduces system pressure, accelerates clean energy integration, and lowers costs for all customers,” he said.
“Our modelling shows that pushing storage deeper into the distribution network and finding customer centric ways of coordinating consumer energy resources can defer expensive network upgrades by as much as 15 years. A proactive, network-led approach could also fast-track EV adoption by half a million vehicles in NSW, a huge leap forward for faster transport decarbonisation.”
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Essential Energy chief of customer and corporate affairs Annie Pearson said the report also highlighted broader areas of reform that need to be addressed to ensure benefits and costs are shared fairly across NSW communities.
“It is vital that we put our communities first, supporting them in their choice around energy resources, while providing everyone with the opportunity to participate in and benefit from a cleaner, fairer energy system. This means accelerating reforms regarding the cost allocation of the transition, the role of shared infrastructure, like community batteries, and how to co-ordinate new industries, like data centres,” she said.
