Improved study corridor for the New England Renewable Energy Zone
An improved transmission study corridor for the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) has been released that increases the use of public land to minimise impacts on local landowners and the environment.
The New England REZ transmission project is a critical energy project for NSW, that will provide clean and reliable electricity to consumers for generations to come.
The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) has identified a revised study corridor after consulting with landowners, councils and industry since June 2023.
Following field investigations and feedback from communities, the preliminary study corridor has been changed to reduce impacts on small farms, with re-alignments in the Dungowan and Glenbawn areas.
EnergyCo has worked with landowners through mutual land access agreements to investigate opportunities, constraints and technical considerations to refine the corridor. Landholders were notified of the changes ahead of the improved study corridor being made public.
The first two stages of the transmission project are scheduled for completion by 2033 to ensure energy security across NSW as coal-fired power stations retire.
EnergyCo will continue community consultation and technical studies to refine the transmission alignment and will be lodging a detailed Scoping Report in the coming months.
The improved corridor can be found on EnergyCo’s website: energyco.nsw.gov.au
Quotes attributable to EnergyCo Chief Executive James Hay
“We have worked with landowners to better understand opportunities to improve the corridor, which will ensure this critical project is delivered on schedule to secure NSW’s energy future.
“EnergyCo will be hosting information sessions and regular pop-up events in the coming months to further engage with local communities along the corridor.
Quotes attributable to EnergyCo New England Regional Director Alexandra Hall
“Through this process we have reduced the overall number of affected landowners and have reduced the overall length of the corridor by 39 kilometres.
“These refinements are a positive step forward to reduce the overall impact of the transmission project.
“EnergyCo will continue to consult with the community on these changes, focussing on impacted landholders one-on-one, and also with the community more broadly.”
Key facts:
- Landholders within the study corridor reduced by more than 80.
- Over 6-kilometre increase in use of public land compared to June 2023 corridor.
- Corridor length reduced by 39 kilometres.
- Scoping report to be lodged in the coming months.