THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 19 December 2024
NEW TRANSMISSION PROJECT IN NSW TO CONNECT SNOWY 2 TO THE GRID
The Albanese Government has approved a new transmission project in NSW which will unlock an extra 3 gigawatts of renewable energy into the grid, including from Snowy 2.0.
The $4.8 billion HumeLink project will construct 365km of new 500 kilovolt high-voltage transmission infrastructure between Wagga Wagga, Bannaby and Maragle.
Once the project is connected to the network, it will unlock the Snowy Hydro Scheme expansion project, Snowy 2.0, and provide an additional 2,200 megawatts of on-demand energy into the grid – enough energy storage to power three million homes for a week.
This approval decision marks another important milestone in the Government’s plan to make Australia a renewable energy superpower.
Under the Liberals and Nationals, 24 coal fired power plants with a total capacity of 26.7 GW announced their closure dates, but the previous government failed to deliver any policy to ensure replacement energy capacity.
Labor’s plan is delivering cheaper, cleaner energy right now. Australia is on track to bring more renewable energy online this year than any other year.
But we’re also fixing the energy grid to keep prices down for good.
We know projects like HumeLink are vital to boosting renewables capacity and putting downward pressure on prices, but they are also great for local jobs and economies. This project will generate 1,600 jobs in construction and to over 60 ongoing jobs.
The project is subject to strict conditions to protect nature including limits on land clearing, minimising impacts of hollow-bearing trees, and threatened species. Most of the new transmission lines will be within existing transmission corridors which minimises clearing.
The project has been subject to extensive public consultation through NSW and Federal government processes.
HumeLink is also being supported through the Albanese Government’s Rewiring the Nation program, to ensure it is delivered at lowest cost to consumers.
We want to ensure Australian communities see long-term material social and economic benefits from energy infrastructure, including renewables.
That’s why we are implementing the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commission's Community Engagement Review to enhance community support and ensure that electricity transmission and renewable energy developments deliver for communities, landholders and traditional owners.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP:
“Labor is getting on with the job of transforming Australia into a renewable energy superpower while Peter Dutton and David Littleproud’s risky nuclear plan is threatening investment in renewables.
“I’ve approved almost 70 renewable energy projects - enough to power more than 7 million Australian homes.
“Peter Dutton’s risky nuclear scheme puts every single one of these projects and thousands of jobs at risk, including 1,600 in this project.
“Their plan takes too long, costs too much and puts up power bills. It’s not right for Australia.
“The renewable energy transition is real, it’s happening right now. And it’s the only plan supported by experts and businesses to deliver clean, affordable and reliable power for homes.
“Australians have a choice between a renewable energy transition that’s already underway and driving down prices, or Peter Dutton’s risky and expensive plan.”
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