ACCIONA has achieved a major construction milestone recently with the first transmission towers for Transgrid's HumeLink East erected near the Adjungbilly Workers Accommodation in regional New South Wales, marking significant progress on one of Australia’s largest energy infrastructure projects.

HumeLink East Project Director Carel Nagel said the top section of the first tower was lifted and secured into position following years of planning and extensive on‑ground preparation. 

Our teams have now assembled 20 towers, marking the beginning of visible construction on one of Australia’s largest energy infrastructure projects. 

Carel Nagel, Project Director, highlighted the scale of work behind the achievement.

"We've been waiting for such a long time, and we've been planning behind the scenes for a number of years," Mr Nagel said.

"It's taken a lot of hard work from a number of teams to finally get to this stage. It's a proud moment for us all in this project."

The project has now erected five of its 467 towers, with construction to continue throughout 2026. 

Each tower is assembled by constructing steel sections on the ground before cranes lift the completed structure into position. Once installed, these towers will form part of a new 500 kV double‑circuit transmission line linking the Bannaby substation at the Wondalga interface with HumeLink West.

HumeLink East incorporates four types of suspension and tension towers designed to carry dual‑circuit 500 kV lines. Each cross arm will support three conductor bundles, forming critical components of the 225 kilometre alignment. The project also involves 383 kilometres of access tracks, 34,188 tonnes of steel, 1,868 foundation piles and more than 6,000 kilometres of conductor.

Mr Nagel said the achievement reflects coordinated effort across design, engineering, logistics and site operations, including collaboration with landholders and the establishment of worker accommodation facilities. 

He also acknowledged the scale and complexity of the terrain, noting that progress is particularly meaningful for crews who can now see the project taking shape.

Once complete, HumeLink will form a major backbone of Australia’s future electricity network, transporting renewable energy from generation regions to population centres and strengthening grid reliability.

The tower erection marks the beginning of an intensive construction period that will see HumeLink East advance steadily throughout 2026, supporting Australia’s energy transition and delivering long‑term benefits for consumers and communities.

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