Australia’s transition to a clean energy future has taken another major step forward with the start of main construction works on HumeLink, one of the nation’s most important transmission infrastructure projects.

The delivery of this project will reinforce NSW’s southern electricity grid and enable the integration of more renewable generation into the National Electricity Market (NEM), helping to realise Australia’s transition to cleaner, more affordable energy and meet the Australian Government’s recently announced emissions targets.

Providing a critical backbone to the NEM by reinforcing the southern grid, it will connect at Wagga Wagga with EnergyConnect and form the energy superhighway needed to help bring cheaper, cleaner renewable energy online from solar and wind generators in south-west NSW.

It will also unlock the full capacity of Snowy 2.0, which will provide an additional 2,200 megawatts of on-demand energy into the grid – enough to power up to three million homes for a week.

Transgrid Group CEO, Brett Redman, said the 365km transmission line is expected to deliver more than $1 billion in net benefits to the Australian economy and provide consumers in NSW with better access to cleaner, more affordable electricity.

“This is a pivotal moment for the country’s energy transition as Transgrid and our delivery partners get on with the job of delivering this once-in-a-generation project that will help make Australia’s clean energy transition a reality,” Mr Redman said.

“HumeLink is a major step forward in delivering the sustainable, affordable and reliable energy all Australians deserve. I want to thank the Australian Government and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation for supporting this critical project under the Rewiring the Nation program.

“Nation-building projects such as HumeLink are crucial to helping the Australian Government achieve its new 2035 climate change target of a 62 to 70 per cent reduction in emissions, compared with 2005 levels.

“Transgrid and our delivery partners will continue to work closely with landowners, communities and key stakeholders as construction of the project proceeds. We will also invest in local communities to create jobs, deliver education and training opportunities, support local businesses, improve community facilities and services, and boost local economies.”

Transgrid has now reached negotiated land access and easement agreements, either in place or agreed in principle, with 98.9 percent of private landholders for the HumeLink project.

Bannister grazier Ken Ikin, who runs Cloverlee Poll Hereford Stud, will have the HumeLink project span part of his property, which is near the Gullen Range Wind Farm.

Mr Ikin, who has an existing transmission line on his property, said the tower and transmission line that will be installed on his property will not interfere with his operations and livelihood.

“It's a step forward for the future for our grandchildren and children,” Mr Ikin said.
“The existing line was here the day we came to look at the property.

It's been here for a long time. To put another one alongside and to get paid for it is really, you know, there's a lot of other things to worry about than that.”

In a significant win for regional NSW, HumeLink is expected to create 1,600 construction jobs and deliver $6.3 billion of direct and indirect investment into the regional economy.

HumeLink is being delivered in two stages, HumeLink East and HumeLink West.

HumeLink East is being designed and constructed by ACCIONA and GenusPlus Group Joint Venture.

HumeLink East Project Director Carel Nagel said ACCIONA and GenusPlus Group are incredibly proud to be part of the landmark project.
“It is a privilege for our whole team to be part of such a significant project for Australia's energy future.

This has been in the planning phase for a long time and it’s great to see the success of early works which has set us up for main construction,” Mr Nagel said.