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Australian transmission network operator Transgrid Group has announced that main construction work has started on the HumeLink transmission project in New South Wales.
HumeLink will see 365km of new 500 kV transmission lines connect Wagga Wagga, Maragle and Bannaby and 835 new transmission towers erected using 52,610 tonnes of steel.
The project is designed to reinforce the southern grid, as well as bring more solar and wind power online from generators in south-west NSW.
According to Transgrid, the project will also unlock the full capacity of the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro project, which will provide an additional 2,200MW of on-demand energy into the grid.
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Transgrid Group CEO, Brett Redman, said the transmission line is expected to deliver more than $1 billion in net benefits to the Australian economy and will make renewable energy more accessible for consumers in NSW.
Said Redman: “HumeLink is a major step forward in delivering the sustainable, affordable and reliable energy all Australians deserve…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 has confirmed that agreements have been negotiated and confirmed with 98.9% of private landholders for the HumeLink project.
The project 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 is expected to create 1,600 construction jobs and deliver $6.3 billion of direct and indirect investment into the regional economy. Temporary camps will be established during construction at Adjungbilly, Kunama, Tarcutta and Yass to accommodate up to 1,200 workers.
