The New South Wales Government is currently reviewing its transmission planning arrangements and options for reforms. It released its 'Transmission Planning Review 2025 Options Paper' earlier this year, and has followed up with its 'Transmission Planning Review 2025 Interim Report'. The Renewable Energy Alliance made a submission to the former review in May, and below is a summary of our submission to the latter.
We broadly support the recommendations in the Interim Report in relation to improved clarity and coordination in energy systems planning. In particular, we support recommendations to clarify EnergyCo’s responsibilities, to give them a clear role and requirements in leading community engagement, to develop guidelines on how EnergyCo will perform its functions (including in relation to stakeholder consultation), and to establish a Consumer Panel. To support the current Interim Report recommendations, we suggest the following additional recommendations:
- Include a requirement for the proposed NSW System Plan to be accompanied by a plain English summary to support community engagement with the Plan.
- Recommend that EnergyCo be given the role of coordinating a whole-of-government strategy to build public understanding of and confidence in the delivery of the infrastructure upgrades required to support the shift to renewable energy.
- Recommend a process for clear linkages between the development of planning reports that consider distribution and non-network energy options and Government plans and programs designed to improve take up of behind the meter renewable energy options.
- Recommend the NSW Government support the establishment of Local Energy Hubs.
- Consult with relevant First Nations organisations to ensure that consultation and engagement requirements for First Nations peoples are culturally appropriate and fit for purpose.
The Interim Report recommendations have articulated the need for better integration between the different transmission infrastructure planning and implementation bodies, as well as the consideration of interactions between transmission, distribution and community energy resources. However, a number of associated activities which fundamentally influence how the community perceives and engages with transmission infrastructure, are missing. In preparing its final report, we recommend that the Review Panel give further consideration to:
- Mechanisms that provide clearer obligations in relation to community benefits for transmission infrastructure projects.
- Ensuring that any new NSW System Plan considers opportunities and barriers for transmission associated with:
- Local training and employment pathways routes for renewables and transmission projects.
- Nature and biodiversity interactions, impacts and opportunities for regional scale collaborations.
- Workforce accommodation location and construction and related social and physical infrastructure needs, servicing and procurement.
- Infrastructure, services and industry interactions, impacts and upgrades/investment needs - including for water, communications, waste and road networks.