Transgrid, the grid operator of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), has announced a AUD16.5bn (US$11bn) investment plan to secure grid development and renewable energy uptake in the state. Transgrid will notably invest AUD14bn (US$9.5bn) to build 2,500 km of new transmission lines and infrastructure to connect new large-scale renewable energy and storage to the grid, integrate five renewable energy zones, and expand transmission interconnection between regions and states. Transgrid currently owns and operates over 13,000 km of transmission lines across NSW state and the Australian Capital Territory.
In addition, the operator will deploy an estimated AUD2.2bn (US$1.5bn) in new system-strength technologies and services to maintain the operating envelope of the grid even without the operation of coal generation, as well as AUD300m (over US$200m) to strengthen Transgrid’s technology tools, workforce and training. Indeed, over 80% of coal-fired capacity in NSW is expected to be retired and 28 GW of new renewable and storage capacity is planned to come online during the next 10 years.