The New South Wales electricity system is currently undergoing a once-in-a-century transformation. To meet the target of net zero emissions by 2050, the state needs to rapidly move away from reliance on fossil fuels and towards renewable sources of energy. This change requires substantial investment across the electricity network, including in generation, transmission and distribution.

This inquiry focussed on the transmission network. According to the Australian Energy Market Operator, 10,000 km of transmission lines are needed nationally to support the transformation of the electricity market and to meet emissions reductions targets. Much of these must be built in New South Wales. However, the construction of such substantial infrastructure raises important questions about where and how it should be built.

This inquiry considered current and planned transmission infrastructure projects in New South Wales. In Chapter 2, the Committee considers the case study of HumeLink, a transmission line connecting Wagga Wagga, Bannaby and Maragle, involving 360 km of proposed new transmission lines and new or upgraded infrastructure at four substations. In Chapter 3, the report looks at the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West, a transmission line currently planned to run from Jerilderie to the Victorian border north of Kerang.

These projects are planned to be built as overhead lines connected by transmission towers. However, in both cases, the Committee heard significant community support for constructing them as underground lines instead. This inquiry was established to assess the feasibility of each model. The Committee looked at several factors including cost, time to build, technical suitability, impacts on landowners, impacts on the local community and economy, impacts on the local environment and bushfire risk.