The clean energy industry has congratulated the Morrison and Berejiklian Governments for underwriting the early stages of an upgrade to the electricity interconnector between New South Wales and Queensland, recognising the critical nature of transmission investment for the future of Australia’s power system.
Lillian Patterson, Clean Energy Council Director Energy Transformation, said the $102 million co-investment by the federal and NSW governments would play an important part in underpinning the security of the grid as coal plants are retired from service.
“The Liddell coal-fired power plant is scheduled to close in 2023, and this upgrade will allow NSW to import more renewable energy from Queensland when it is most needed,” Ms Patterson said.
“The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) identified this interconnector as a time-critical project in its Integrated System Plan.
“Better interconnection between the regions will be increasingly important to build a more flexible and resilient power system as we move towards cleaner sources of energy,” she said.
The upgrade is currently scheduled for completion in 2021.
Transmission and grid connection were the highest priorities for executives in the clean energy industry in the last two Clean Energy Outlook surveys, which are conducted every six months.
Please contact Mark Bretherton, Clean Energy Council Director – Media on 0413 556 981 for more information or to arrange an interview.
