EnergyConnect delivers $200m business bonanza to regional communities

Transgrid Executive General Manager of Stakeholder, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Maryanne Graham said EnergyConnect is providing a wide range of social and economic benefits to communities along the project alignment from Wagga Wagga to the South Australian border.

“Regional communities are at the heart of the clean energy transition and are in the box seat to capitalise on local investment and employment opportunities as construction of this nation-critical project advances,” Ms Graham said.

“Our commitment to procuring goods and services locally helps regional businesses grow and creates job pathways that will provide lasting social legacy outcomes for regional Australia.

“We are proud to be working with regional communities and businesses to deliver this essential interconnector which will provide access to cleaner and cheaper renewable energy for families and businesses, and help Australia meet its emissions reduction targets.” 

EnergyConnect has so far invested $206 million in supply contracts with 242 local and First Nations businesses in the Riverina, Murray and Sunraysia regions.

Local businesses which have supplied the project include Lockhart Hardware & Hire, United Fasteners (Wagga), Pumps, Pipes & Power (Coleambally), Caruso Bros. Transport (Deniliquin), Gregg & Sons Steel (Buronga), and Mildura’s Johnson’s Truck & Coach Service, Dantere Safety, and Davison Motors.

Transgrid and its construction partner Elecnor Australia are delivering the 700km NSW section of EnergyConnect.

Construction works on the western alignment have now been completed including a 135km transmission line from Buronga to the South Australian border and a 24km transmission line between Buronga and Red Cliffs in Victoria.

The project’s 540km eastern alignment has also progressed, with construction of a world-class substation at Dinawan (near Coleambally) and tower foundation, assembly and erection works on two transmission lines between Buronga and Wagga Wagga.

Hundreds of workers are based at camps at Lockhart, Dinawan (near Coleambally), Cobb Highway (near Hay), Balranald and Buronga, bringing more people into communities to support local businesses without impacting on limited housing and accommodation.

United Fasteners, which has been operating out of Wagga Wagga for eight years, has supplied more than 30,000 tower bolts for EnergyConnect.

Account Manager Steve McGill said the team was proud to be a part of Australia’s largest transmission project and the clean energy transition.

“We are definitely happy to be a part of our clean energy transition through our involvement in this project and contribute to a greener future for our country,” Mr McGill said. 

“The bolts we have supplied for EnergyConnect were made in Australia and that means we are supporting multiple Australian businesses and importantly, our local manufacturing industry.”

Family business Gregg & Sons at Buronga has supplied steel and materials for EnergyConnect including processed reinforced bar for concrete tower foundations, fencing and gates, grid mesh and plate steel.

Managing Director Brian Gregg, who operates the business with his sons Leon and Evan and a team of 13 people, said EnergyConnect helped the company through the downturn in the building industry after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have been heavily involved with the project and it’s been great for our business to be involved in a once-in-a-generation project that will benefit many generations to come,” Mr Gregg said.

“The building industry has taken a fairly big hit since the pandemic and this project has filled a void we would have otherwise had. We have supplied substantial amounts of steel and materials.

“We have also helped the project by ensuring high levels of service and fulfilling orders as quickly as possible, sometimes within 24 hours, while keeping prices competitive.”

For more information about EnergyConnect visit: www.transgrid.com.au/energyconnect