Construction of the South Australian section of the $2.3 billion (USD 1.56 billion) EnergyConnect infrastructure project, which will link power grids across three states, is now more than 50% complete with ElectraNet announcing the high-voltage interconnector is on track for release of full power transfer capability by mid-2026.
8 April 2021
Major new transmission network projects are now in doubt after the Australian Energy Market Commission formally rejected a request from network companies to allow for increased early revenues from key network upgrades.
The decision could potentially kill off plans to build major new network links identified in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Integrated System Plan, considered crucial for further investment in wind and solar projects and the transition to a renewables-dominated grid.
Network companies had been hoping to front-end revenues to aid in securing finance for the network projects. Transgrid and ElectraNet said was necessary to ensure finance could be secured.