The government of the Australian state of New South Wales has unveiled the shortlist of groups in the running to be the operator of its first renewable energy zone (REZ).
The Central-West Orana REZ is a key component of the state of New South Wales’ energy infrastructure plans to put downward pressure on electricity bills.
The short-listed tenderers are ACE Energy, comprising Acciona, Cobra and Endeavour Energy; Network REZolution, comprising Pacific Partnerships, UGL, CPB Contractors and APA Group; and NewGen Networks, comprising Plenary Group, Elecnor, Essential Energy and SecureEnergy.
The network operator will be responsible for designing, financing, building, operating and maintaining the network infrastructure for the Central-West Orana REZ.
The new grid connections will include energy hubs and new high-capacity transmission lines.
NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the announcement was an exciting milestone for this modern day power station.
He said: “The network operator will play a critical role in the REZ by connecting power from energy suppliers, including wind and solar farms, and distributing it to energy consumers across the State.”
Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said the Central-West Orana REZ will play a pivotal role in the State’s plans to deliver a cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy sector under the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.
“Combining generation and storage with poles and wires, the REZ will capitalise on economies of scale to deliver energy to homes and businesses in NSW,” Mr Kean said.
Minister for Western NSW and Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the REZ would bring investment and jobs to the area.
“The REZ will bring more than A$5bn (€3.4bn) of new private investment to the Central-West Orana region, around ,900 peak jobs during construction and a suite of community initiatives to be funded by renewable generation projects.”
Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) will soon invite the shortlisted tenderers to respond to a Request for Proposal, with the contract to be awarded in 2023.