EnergyCo

Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone year in review As we wrap up 2024, EnergyCo reflects on key milestones in advancing the Central-West Orana REZ and working towards a sustainable energy future for NSW. Key highlights: Planning approval: The Central-West Orana REZ received full planning approval, becoming the first REZ in Australia to reach this milestone.  Transmission progress: the preferred network operator ACEREZ was granted a license to design and operate the transmission system. Community investment: We launched the Community and Employment Benefit Program, distributing $128 million over four years, with $70 million available in tranche 1. Environmental commitment: Secured Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements to protect vital ecosystems, including the Box-Gum Woodland and habitats of the Regent Honeyeater. What’s next 👉👉👉: Construction begins: Transmission project construction starts in early 2025, towards energisation in 2028.    Investment and jobs: $20 billion in investment, 5,000 construction jobs, and $3 billion in benefits for NSW consumers. Ongoing engagement: Continuing consultations with local and Aboriginal communities to ensure long-term, sustainable benefits. Read more about our progress and upcoming milestones: https://lnkd.in/gF-dfVqY #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #CommunityEngagement #NSW #CentralWestOrana

📍 Wrapping up a year of community engagement in Dunedoo    EnergyCo’s Central-West Orana REZ and Port to REZ project teams, alongside Transport for NSW and the preferred network operator ACEREZ, finished a successful year of community engagement at the Dunedoo Markets last week. Dunedoo has been a regular stop for EnergyCo this year, with a monthly stall at the markets. We’ll be back when the markets resume in March!    Attending local markets allows us to connect with community members, share project updates, and listen to valuable feedback. This month, we discussed key topics, including:  🔹 Port to REZ route and upgrades near Dunedoo  🔹 Wind farm developments  🔹 Workforce accommodation  🔹 Large-scale vehicle movements    Thank you to the Dunedoo community- we look forward to seeing you in 2025   #EnergyCo #CommunityEngagement #CentralWestOranaREZ #PortToREZ #DunedooMarkets #RenewableEnergy 

EnergyCo is progressing plans to engage a network operator for the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).    The procurement process is expected to start early next year, with an industry briefing planned for March 2025 and expressions of interest to be invited in April/May 2025.    The network operator procurement will continue in parallel to our ongoing work with landowners and the community, as well as our environmental investigations, as we continue to refine the project.    Read more about the delivery model and program for the New England REZ network operator procurement on our website at https://lnkd.in/gqy5bCDi. 

We are delighted to announce that EnergyCo has signed a commitment deed with Ausgrid to deliver the network infrastructure needed for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The Hunter-Central Coast REZ is now one step closer to becoming a reality, with Ausgrid set to lead the delivery and operation of the new network infrastructure for the region. This marks the first distribution-based REZ in Australia, with Ausgrid’s proposal primarily focused on upgrading the existing distribution network.   #CleanEnergyTransition #Renewables #EnergyCo #HCCREZ

💡💬 How we're planning and refining the critical Hunter Transmission Project   Over the past year, we’ve made significant progress in scoping and shaping the Hunter Transmission Project, guided by feedback from the community.    Today we’ve released Refining the HTP, which highlights the latest developments for this once-in-a-generation transmission infrastructure.     The HTP corridor has been refined through feedback, consultation and technical studies. We’re working with fewer than 25 private landowners for easement acquisition, compared with 78 properties we presented a year ago.    Technical studies on required assessment areas are well underway, including biodiversity (plants and animals), Aboriginal cultural heritage, visual and social impacts, roads and traffic and more.    These studies will inform our environmental impact statement (EIS) which is anticipated to be on public exhibition in mid-2025 offering the community another opportunity to provide formal feedback.    Read our end-of-year community update and find out how we’re refining the HTP https://lnkd.in/gXmsxht7   #EnergyCo #Engagement #RenewableEnergy 

Powering NSW’s energy future EnergyCo has just released our first Corporate Strategy. The Strategy sets out how we will deliver our vision to support an affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy future for NSW through our 3 pillars: Projects ⚡ deliver today while planning for tomorrow in the interests of consumers, industry and communities.  Partners 🤝 partner with industry, government and communities to be better together and foster support.  People 👥 put people at the heart of what we do to build capability and enable an energy transition for all. 📍 Click to explore the full strategy and learn more https://lnkd.in/giFTEhff #NSWEnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #CommunityImpact #SustainableFuture 

Yesterday the Australian Government announced that 3.7 gigawatts (GW) of projects in NSW have been awarded Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) agreements following a tender process run by AEMO Services. This includes 2.9 GW of projects in the Central-West Orana and South-West Renewable Energy Zones (REZs), and a further project totalling 230 megawatts (MW) connecting to the existing network in the New England REZ. This is a fantastic outcome for EnergyCo and the broader NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, underpinned by our work to open up new generation capacity through REZ access schemes. We look forward to sharing an update about the allocation of access rights in Central-West Orana and South-West REZs in early 2025.  

🌱 Engaging with the Jerrys Plains Community 🌱 We’re committed to working closely with local communities as we progress the Port to Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) project. Last week, together with Transport for NSW, we hosted a community information session at the Jerrys Plains School of Arts Hall, offering residents the chance to connect with our team, ask questions, and share their insights. We’ll return to Jerrys Plains on February 22 for the Jerrys Plains Car boot sale and fair, providing another opportunity to engage directly. Thanks to everyone who attended and to our dedicated team for facilitating this productive session. Together, we’re building a sustainable future for NSW! #EnergyCo #RenewableEnergyZone #CommunityEngagement #Sustainability #PortToREZ

The NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap provides local workers and industries with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to participate in the energy transition. Now there are even more opportunities for local businesses to benefit from the renewable energy transformation underway in NSW. The Renewable Energy Sector Board has developed a process to increase local content requirements over time, providing certainty to businesses investing in local renewable energy supply chains. 🌿⚡ Join the virtual briefing session hosted by NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on 11 December 2024 to find out more. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gx29-vmT Or visit: https://lnkd.in/g-crer7D for more information. #RenewableEnergy #LocalMaterials #LocalWorkers #EnergyTransition #NSW #Sustainability #CleanEnergy

Today I’m in Armidale to discuss the regional opportunities which will be unlocked by the New England Renewable Energy Zone. I met with Mayors from across the region - Armidale Mayor Sam Coupland, Glen Innes Mayor Margot Davis, Inverell Mayor Kate Dight, Uralla Mayor Robert Bell, Walcha Mayor Eric Noakes - to get a briefing from EnergyCo on progress on the REZ. We discussed a range of concerns and opportunities, from infrastructure needs to housing and social impacts and what the Community Benefits Scheme will unlock for residents. This REZ will deliver generation, firming and storage projects that’ll get more reliable and affordable renewable energy to homes and businesses right across NSW. #NewEngland #RenewableEnergyZone #LaborsEnergyPlan