North West Transmission Developments
Energy transition
Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone
EnergyCo is developing the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), a major energy infrastructure program in central-west New South Wales. The REZ is designed to connect new wind, solar and storage projects to the electricity grid and support the state’s transition to cleaner, more reliable energy.
Our team has supported the Central-West Orana REZ across separate but connected workstreams, including transaction and technical advisory, stakeholder and community engagement, landowner engagement, community benefits planning, procurement and implementation planning.
This has included Lenders’ Technical Adviser support to a bidding consortium seeking to become the network operator, as well as an embedded role with EnergyCo to support environmental approvals, engagement, landowner relationships and development of the Central-West Orana REZ Implementation Plan.
The challenge
As the first Renewable Energy Zone of its kind in New South Wales, Central-West Orana has needed to establish new pathways for planning, procurement, delivery and long-term operation of shared transmission infrastructure.
The project required confidence in the bankability of greenfield network assets, the proposed contractual and regulatory arrangements, and the way EnergyCo requirements would translate into a viable long-term infrastructure concession.
At the same time, the project needed coordinated engagement across a large regional footprint. Landowners, local councils, communities, government agencies, renewable energy developers and the appointed network operator all needed clear information, consistent processes and meaningful opportunities to participate as the project moved through environmental assessment, planning and delivery preparation.
Our approach
For the transaction workstream, our advisers reviewed the bankability of proposed greenfield network assets against EnergyCo requirements and the relevant contractual and regulatory settings. This helped the bidding consortium understand key risks, obligations and delivery considerations associated with becoming the network operator for the REZ.
For the EnergyCo workstream, our embedded team worked closely with the integrated project team to support stakeholder and community engagement, environmental approvals, landowner engagement and development of the Implementation Plan.
The team delivered communications and engagement activities to support the Environmental Impact Statement process, including public consultation. We also facilitated regional workshops to inform community benefit planning and supported quarterly Community Reference Group meetings.
Our role included landowner relationship management, local council and stakeholder relationships, issues management, and transaction management services to support procurement of an Engineer, Procure and Construct contractor. As the project continues, the team is supporting the transition from a centrally based model to a stronger local presence for ongoing implementation.
The result
Our work has supported one of New South Wales’ most important energy transition programs through transaction, engagement, environmental assessment and implementation planning activities.
For the bidding consortium, our Lenders’ Technical Adviser support provided a clearer view of the bankability, risks and regulatory settings associated with a first-of-its-kind REZ network concession. The work also provided insight into arrangements likely to inform future REZ infrastructure concessions.
For EnergyCo, our embedded support has helped progress environmental assessment engagement, landowner and stakeholder relationships, community benefits consultation, Community Reference Group activity and implementation planning.
The Central-West Orana REZ Transmission Project has since secured key approvals, reached contract and financial close with ACEREZ as network operator, and moved into construction. Our ongoing support helps maintain the engagement, planning and delivery foundations needed to progress a complex regional transmission project that will connect new renewable energy into the grid.
