Transmission challenge draws wide field as New England REZ EOI phase ends
A competitive mix of local and international consortia has submitted interest in delivering the energy infrastructure for the New England REZ, with the NSW Government now shortlisting applicants for the next stage.
The NSW Government has now closed expressions of interest (EOIs) for the role of network operator in the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), receiving six submissions from consortiums spanning the energy, infrastructure and transmission sectors.
The network operator will be responsible for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of new transmission infrastructure and energy hubs to connect the REZ to households and businesses across the state.
Consortia submitting EOIs include:
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Aura Networks – Plenary, Alupar, Webuild, FCC Construction
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Future Energy Networks – AusNet, Pacific Partnerships, GS, Hyundai, Ghella, CPB Contractors, UGL
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NewLeaf Energy – Iberdrola, Capella Capital, Gamuda, Samsung C&T, Ferrovial, Genus Infrastructure
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Powergrid Corporation of India
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Rezult Networks – ACCIONA and COBRA
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Verta Energy – EDF Australia
EnergyCo will now assess all submissions and shortlist two or three consortia to progress to the next stage, which is the request for proposal (RFP), expected later this year.
The procurement process is described as highly interactive and is one of the largest of its type in NSW. It is designed to support collaboration between industry and government, aiming to improve productivity and achieve better value-for-money outcomes.
“It’s great to see such strong market interest in this project. It brings us one step closer to delivering a new, reliable energy system that will keep the lights on in NSW with lasting regional benefits,” said EnergyCo CEO Hannah McCaughey.
The New England REZ, centred around Armidale, is one of several renewable energy zones being developed across the state. The area was identified in 2018 through statewide geospatial mapping that examined locations with strong renewable resource potential, good network connectivity, and compatibility with existing land uses.
With an intended network capacity of 8 gigawatts, the New England REZ is expected to support around 6,000 construction jobs and 2,000 operational roles over time. The region has attracted strong investor interest due to its favourable solar and wind conditions and proximity to transmission infrastructure linking NSW with the east coast, Upper Hunter and Queensland.
