Regional power potential builds
Recommendations by the group responsible for Australia’s largest electricity market are set to open the door for further growth in western Victoria’s burgeoning renewable-energy sector.
An Australian Energy Market Operator preference in improving transmission capacity in the region includes upgrading the electrical network to the south-east Wimmera.
The proposal is designed to increase the capacity of the western Victorian transmission network by about 1200 mega volt-amperes and allow for extra energy-generation connections in the region.
It is now up to governments to decide whether they will accept the AEMO’S recommendation.
AEMO planning and forecasting executive general manager David Swift said western Victoria had become attractive for new-generation projects due to solar and wind resources in the area.
“Around 2000 megawatts of new generation has been committed in the region by 2020,” he said.
“Based on proposed future projects and the State Government’s renewable energy target, AEMO projects a further 3000 megawatts is likely in the region by 2025.
“However, without adequate capacity on the 220-kilovolt transmission network, generators connecting to this part of the network will need to be heavily constrained to maintain power flows within safe limits. This could impact on electricity prices over the long term.”
Mr Swift said the western Victorian project was the first step in a much larger, transmission infrastructure plan to assess and co-ordinate future investment and development around the National Electricity Market.
“Strategic planning and co-ordination of our power system is critical to making smart, informed decisions for the long-term interests of Australian energy consumers,” he said.
“AEMO is working with industry, governments and interested parties to make sure we have the best transmission infrastructure in place to efficiently accommodate increasing levels of generation in western Victoria.
“This is so that we can continue to deliver affordable, reliable and secure energy to consumers, now and in the future.”
AEMO’S development preference is consistent with a long-term transmission network development plan for the NEM outlined in the 2018 Integrated System Plan, endorsed by Council of Australian Governments.
Wimmera Development Association has been lobbying for a major upgrade to electrical infrastructure in the region.
This is based on an understanding the network will be close to its capacity after construction of Murra Warra Wind Farm north of Horsham.
The AEMO option includes shortterm measures, up to 2021, to include minor augmentation or strengthening of a 220kv transmission network along Red Cliffs-bendigo and Moorabool-ballarat-terang lines.
Its recommendation for major transmission augmentation is in two steps – new 220kv double circuit transmission lines from Ballarat to Bulgana near Great Western by 2024 and new 500kv double circuit transmission lines from Sydenham to Ballarat by 2025.
Wimmera Development Association executive director Ralph Kenyon said the plan represented the first part of an upgraded link between the Wimmera to the main Victorian grid.
“WDA has been lobbying for guarantees the transmission network across the region can cope with an increase in energy generation in the Wimmera and southern Mallee. This is a critical step,” he said.
“The hope is that government will adopt this option and WDA will be submitting comments on the project draft.
“We don’t expect it to happen overnight, but we do expect a continual roll-out of infrastructure upgrades in transmission capability – so existing renewable developments can continue and further opportunities are opened.
“It’s a multi-million-dollar development, which will take time, but we expect successful governments will continue to fund these project plans.
“It’s a significant milestone in that they have now put on paper time scales and plans for the commencement of power line upgrades.
“It is short of a guarantee of a future region-wide transmission upgrade. But it’s well on the way.”
• Mr Kenyon retires, page 11