Australia: Australia’s clean energy transition has reached a new milestone with the start of major construction on HumeLink, one of the country’s largest transmission infrastructure projects.
The 365 km, 500 kV transmission line – developed by Transgrid – will connect Wagga Wagga, Maragle, and Bannaby, providing the critical southern backbone of the National Electricity Market (NEM). Once completed, HumeLink will integrate new solar and wind generation from southwest NSW and unlock the full 2,200 MW capacity of Snowy 2.0, enough to power three million homes for a week.
Transgrid Group CEO Brett Redman said the project would deliver more than $1 billion in net economic benefits while providing consumers with cleaner, more affordable power.
“This is a pivotal moment for Australia’s energy transition,” Redman said. “HumeLink is a nation-building project that will make renewable energy accessible and reliable for all Australians.”
Supported by the Australian Government and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation under the Rewiring the Nation program, the project is expected to create 1,600 construction jobs and generate $6.3 B in regional investment.
Construction is divided between two joint ventures: ACCIONA & GenusPlus Group for HumeLink East, and UGL & CPB Contractors for HumeLink West. The scope includes four new or upgraded substations, 835 towers using over 52,000 t of steel, and nearly 9,400 km of conductor cabling, enough to stretch from Sydney to Perth and back.
Negotiated land access agreements are now in place or agreed in principle with 98.9 % of private landholders. Regional landowner Ken Ikin praised the project’s approach: “It is a step forward for the future for our grandchildren and children,” he said.
With completion expected later this decade, HumeLink stands as a cornerstone of Australia’s effort to build a resilient, low-carbon energy grid capable of meeting 2035 emission reduction targets.
Source: PV Magazine
