Network operator

EnergyCo has commenced the competitive procurement process to appoint a network operator to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain new transmission infrastructure in the New England REZ. The network operator will work in partnership with EnergyCo to deliver the network infrastructure project. 

In March 2025 EnergyCo released a call for registrations of interest to invite interested parties to submit a registration to participate further in the network operator procurement process.  

As part of this work, EnergyCo held an industry briefing for interested parties to find out more about the network operator package. The industry briefing presentation slides are available to view here.  

In May 2025, following the submission of registrations by interested parties and the assessment of registrations by EnergyCo, 19 interested parties were pre-qualified (as registrants) to participate further in the interactive expressions of interest (EOI) stage.  

Expressions of interest closed in July 2025

Six consortia comprising energy, infrastructure, transmission and distribution organisations submitted EOIs, showcasing significant market interest in the project:

1. Aura Networks (comprising Plenary, Alupar, Webuild, FCC Construction)
2. Future Energy Networks (comprising AusNet, Pacific Partnerships, GS, Hyundai, Ghella, CPB Contractors, UGL)
3. NewLeaf Energy (comprising Iberdrola, Capella Capital, Gamuda, Samsung C&T, Ferrovial, Genus Infrastructure)
4. Powergrid Corporation of India
5. Rezult Networks (comprising ACCIONA and COBRA)
6. Verta Energy (comprising EDF Australia)

With EOIs now submitted, EnergyCo will evaluate all submissions and shortlist two to three applicants to progress to the request for proposal (RFP) stage later this year.

The procurement process will be carried out in parallel with our ongoing work with landowners and the community, as well as our environmental investigations, as we continue to refine the REZ network infrastructure project. 

For any enquiries relating to the network operator package procurement process, please contact our team at [email protected] 

Ongoing collaboration with the market

Consistent with the NSW Government Principles for Partnership with the Construction Industry, EnergyCo is committed to collaborating with the market to achieve greater certainty, increased productivity, sustainable risk allocations and overall value-for-money outcomes.  

Throughout the network operator procurement process, EnergyCo will incorporate structured interactive processes during the EOI and RFP stages to ensure that:   

• EnergyCo can test and receive feedback from market participants to inform RFP development
• market participants can test ideas and receive feedback, to aid the development of high-quality and well-considered EOIs and proposals. 

EnergyCo welcomes market interest in the project. In the interim, keep up to date with the project via EnergyCo’s website at energyco.nsw.gov.au/ne.