EnergyCo releases scoping report for New England RE zone

This establishes the necessary infrastructure to connect the project to the grid.

The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) had logged the scoping report for the planned eight-gigawatt New England Renewable Energy Zone, which was declared as a Critical State Significant Infrastructure.

In a statement, EnergyCo said the report outlines the infrastructure needed to connect the project with the existing grid in the Upper Hunter, as well as initial analysis of what needs to be assessed in an Environmental Impact Statement.

New England REZ Executive Project Director Doug Parris said the scoping also includes a preferred study corridor for the network infrastructure project, which has been developed following ongoing consultation and field investigations since June 2023.

According to EnergyCo chief executive James Hay, the report marks the official start in the New England REZ’s planning process for the delivery of clean energy.

“The transmission infrastructure needed to deliver this includes two new 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines between Bayswater near Muswellbrook and the New England REZ, as well as a network of new 500kV and 330kV transmission lines and four new energy hubs within the zone,” he added.

Planning and Communities Executive Director Ash Albury said EnergyCo will be holding a series of information sessions across the region to support the release of the scoping report.