Environmental Impact Statement Response and Amendments
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Central-West Orana REZ transmission project was placed on public exhibition last year. During the exhibition period we invited the community to provide feedback via a formal submission.
We reviewed the submissions and have written a Response to Submissions report that summarises the feedback received and our responses to the themes raised.
This feedback from the community informed a number of key changes to the project, which are described and assessed in an Amendment report.
Community and Employment Benefit Program
Communities in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) will receive $128 million over the next four years to deliver community projects and employment opportunities. This will leave a lasting legacy for the communities hosting renewable energy projects in their area.
We are working closely with local councils, community and First Nations organisations, renewable energy companies and other stakeholders to identify and fund community priorities. We are seeking feedback from the community through a survey, workshops and local information sessions.
An online briefing about the Program was held on Monday 5 February 2024. You can view the Q&A from the briefing here.
An online survey was also available to give feedback on the types of benefits that should be delivered in the community. It closed on Sunday 10 March 2024.
The types of projects that could be funded through the Program include:
- public infrastructure upgrades
- housing and accommodation
- training and employment programs
- health and education programs
- support for energy efficiency and local rooftop solar, and
- initiatives for First Nations people.
Over time, this program will be expanded to the other four REZs in NSW; New England, South West, Hunter-Central Coast and Illawarra.
About the transmission project
The Central-West Orana REZ will be serviced by new transmission network infrastructure, including transmission lines and energy hubs, which will transfer power generated by solar and wind farms to electricity consumers. This infrastructure will be critical for the successful operation of the REZ. EnergyCo is leading the development of the REZ transmission network infrastructure as the Infrastructure Planner for the REZs in NSW.
EnergyCo is responsible for developing and overseeing the planning and approval processes for the REZ network infrastructure. We are also running a competitive tender process to appoint a Network Operator to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the REZ transmission network.
To support the delivery of the transmission network infrastructure and the REZ as a whole, we are working closely with the developers of renewable energy projects to plan their connections into the network. We are also working with generators and other key stakeholders to develop strategies to manage cumulative impacts within the REZ and deliver community benefit initiatives.
Updates and announcements
Contact us
If you have any questions about the Central-West Orana REZ or would like to provide feedback, please contact us at any time:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 1800 032 101 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)