Construction on Victoria’s Western Renewable Link (WRL) is one step closer after Ausnet announced last month the appointment of a joint venture between ACCIONA and Genus to undertake works for the proposed 190-kilometre long transmission line.
Once completed, the 500 kv transmission line will connect new renewable energy generation projects and transmit electricity from near Bulgana in western Victoria to Sydenham in Melbourne’s north-west.
The announcement came soon after Moorabool Shire Council’s closing statement after it gave evidence at the WRL Environment Effects Statements (EES) public hearing in early December.
Approximately 60km of the proposed overhead high-voltage line will run directly through Moorabool Shire from east to west, with council arguing a full or partial undergrounding of the line to be a more feasible and future-focused approach.
“Despite the additional costs, Council considers the undergrounding full or partial to be a feasible, future-focused approach that reduces unnecessary impacts,” Moorabool’s mayor Cr Steve Venditti-Taylor said.
Gerard Carew, AusNet general manager, major projects and lead for the Western Renewables Link project, said the appointment a huge milestone.
“This appointment is a big step forward for the project, enabling the WRL team to continue important preparation work so that construction can move ahead if the project receives the necessary planning approvals,” he said.
Council wants AusNet Services to further investigate several aspects of the EES before any decisions are made about the project, including social, economic, bushfire, agricultural and visual impacts.
Tristan Walters from ACCIONA Genus Joint Venture said the project is a “transformational piece of infrastructure for Victoria”, with safety and respect prioritised in its delivery.
“Our team is committed to delivering this project safely and with respect to all communities. This award underscores our commitment to enabling Australia’s energy transition and demonstrates our capability to deliver large-scale, complex energy infrastructure.”
EES hearings are set to conclude in March.
Detailed information about the EES, next steps and daily hearing recordings can be found at engage.vic.gov.au/Western-Renewables-Link-IAC.
