Transgrid calls for a unified approach to achieve clean energy transition

Transgrid CEO Brett Redman said: “Forecasts in our Transmission Annual Planning Report (TAPR) 2024, predict steadily increased annual growth in demand for electricity across NSW over the next decade. However, the overall picture masks considerable volatility in power flows, increases in peak demand driven by electrification, industrial and data centre demand, and a steep downward trajectory for minimum demand supplied from the grid. That means, we need to build a far larger and more complex grid than Australia has ever seen.”

The 10-year forecasts from TAPR 2024 demonstrate the challenges posed by an electrifying economy along with a decarbonising grid and the need for governments, regulators and industry to be agile to adjust to the new realities of a much larger and more complex network.

“Building this grid will only be possible with close and ongoing collaboration between many different government and industry entities,” Mr Redman said.

“Everyone is aware of the need to progress priority transmission projects urgently to deliver the necessary high-voltage backbone through NSW to significantly increase transfer capacity within NSW and with the eastern states. However, we also need evolving regulation to support the broader realities of the energy transition, including the critical task of maintaining a strong heartbeat for the system throughout and following the transition.  

“Transgrid is looking at innovative, faster and lower cost technologies and ‘non-network solutions’, such as energy storage systems, that help us minimise the need for additional poles and wires. We have asked for some regulatory rule changes that would allow us to make more and better use of these non-network solutions, which would also help keep costs as low as possible for consumers.”

TAPR 2024 also highlights the need for investment in sophisticated operational tools to manage a larger and more complex network.

“To visualise what’s happening in the network and make rapid, accurate decisions, our operators in the control room need digital support – increased data, new technologies and proactive forecasting. They also need investment in continuous professional development and training facilities to prepare them to operate a very different and highly complex grid,” Mr Redman said.

“Transgrid is applying for the necessary investment in systems, data and process improvements to ensure we can continue to operate the future network safely and reliably. We hope to be supported in starting a range of projects to uplift operability in 2025.”

At the core of each TAPR are the major transmission projects that will form the backbone of the new grid.

“As we plan these projects, our priority is to keep costs for consumers as low as possible, including finding the lowest price pathway to deliver the infrastructure required to support a stable and reliable renewable grid,” Mr Redman said.

He emphasised the critical importance of strong social licence in developing the infrastructure required for the energy transition. “We are actively engaging with communities to understand their expectations and deliver outcomes that are respectful of their needs and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the communities accommodating the infrastructure.”

The report also highlights Transgrid’s current and emerging thinking about the subsequent decade when the renewable power system may need to expand by up to three to five times to support economy-wide decarbonisation.

“We continue to monitor the most likely options for our renewable power system as it expands to meet the needs of an electrifying economy in the decade beyond 2034,” Mr Redman said.

“All forecasts suggest offshore wind will eventually have an important role to play, however, with the timing of its introduction in NSW uncertain, we also need to plan for a scenario where energy security is not reliant upon it.  

“Instead, remote inland renewable energy zones (REZs) are emerging as a more likely source of additional renewable power in the mid-2030s. Transgrid is exploring how and where these remote inland REZs could be developed including the western portion of NSW which has excellent solar and wind resources on under-utilised, low-density land.”

TAPR 2024 is available here

What’s new since TAPR 2023

• 15% drop in minimum demand by 2026 and 67% drop by 2033 (medium growth scenario)
• 850 MW of additional data centre load in distribution networks by 2034
• 2,300 MW of additional renewable generation and storage committed to joining the network since TAPR 2022
• 11,700 GWh more rooftop PV generation by 2034
• 4,000 GWh more EV charging by 2034.

Transgrid media contact: Mark Nolan 0429 047 136