New South Wales transmission network operator Transgrid has released its Transmission Annual Planning Report (TAPR) 2025, which marks the completion of the ‘ramp up’ phase of the state’s energy transition.
According to CEO Brett Redman, New South Wales is entering a new, highly dynamic phase of ‘deep transition’ in which the grid will undergo dramatic change thanks to the rapid closure of coal generators and accelerated buildout of renewable generation, storage and transmission.
“During this time, we forecast New South Wales transitioning from the current threshold of about 40% renewable energy, to around 90% in 2035,” Redman said.
Related article: To dream the (im)possible dream
“It will take the aligned efforts of our entire sector to accelerate progress and ensure renewable generation and security services are ready on time as coal retires so that energy consumers have ready access to more affordable energy.”
The report details the new transmission projects that will make up the future grid and provides updates on Transgrid’s network augmentation projects and collaborative work on Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) connections with EnergyCo and local electricity networks. Critical transmission projects include EnergyConnect, HumeLink, VNI West, Hunter Transmission Project, Sydney Ring South and QNI Connect.
The report also highlights record growth in generator connections over the past 12 months, with Transgrid now supporting more than 10GW of new renewable energy and storage projects.
The TAPR 2025 predicts peak demand growing higher and minimum demand falling faster than previously projected, with the growth of data centres spiking industrial loads, while rooftop solar and electrification reshape how and when energy is used.
“By the early 2030s, the impressive rise of rooftop solar may see minimum demand from the grid hitting zero—a tipping point for how the grid is planned and operated,” Redman said.
“Creating enough clean energy in time to meet growing data centre demand will be challenging, but doing so presents a huge opportunity to create new top line revenue for NSW—exporting megawatts as megabytes.
“This all means adapting to a widening ‘demand envelope’ characterised by higher peaks and lower minimums. By planning for what’s next, we’re building a resilient, efficient network that keeps pace with the demands of the transition.”
Related article: Victorian Transmission Plan released to mixed reviews
For the first time, the report outlines Transgrid’s multi-decade plans for the potential augmentation of supply corridors to bring more renewable energy to Greater Sydney, powering the city’s growing, electrified economy, in the ‘new transitioned era’ beyond 2035.
Several major infrastructure projects are proposed to link REZs in NSW and the National Electricity Market with Greater Sydney to ensure a reliable, secure power supply while supporting the region’s transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy.
Read the 2025 TAPR in full here.
