What do we mean by transmission?
Transmission
New transmission is critical to our clean energy transition – it will make sure all projects can be connected to the grid, so we can access the cheap clean renewable energy.
While transmission line projects are very technical in nature, it is impossible to ignore their impacts on the local environment, individual stakeholders and the wider communities they are being proposed for.
“The timely approval and efficient delivery of large-scale transmission projects that enable the significant energy transition in Australia to occur, whilst ensuring that potential impacts of such projects to regional communities and landholders are appropriately managed, is likely to be our collective highest priority for this decade.” ….Findings from Curtin University and the University of Queensland.
The Energy Charter – Community Fact Sheet Overhead and Underground Infrastructure Explained
Link to ReAlliance Renewable Energy Transmission
Gippsland offshore wind transmission technology
Victorian Labor energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio on 10 December 2024, launched the call for expressions of interest (EoI) to build the transmission infrastructure necessary to connect Gippsland’s new offshore wind farms to the grid.
VicGrid has generated an interactive map of the Offshore Wind Energy Transmission study corridor.
Link to VicGrid Interactive Map
After careful consideration of the merits and complexities of 330 kilovolt (kV) and 500 kV transmission technology, we decided a 500 kV transmission line is the most suitable solution for this project. 500 kV transmission has a higher transfer capacity than 330 kV transmission technology and will result in around half the power loss of 330 kV transmission. Power losses happen when electricity is transported across a network, and higher power losses increase costs for consumers. Link to VicGrid Transmission Plan 2025
Why overhead transmission is preferred by VicGrid.
VicGrid thoroughly assessed various technical options for new transmission lines, including both overhead and underground methods. They carefully weighed complex factors like technical requirements, social considerations, environmental impacts, and heritage preservation.
The assessment revealed that overhead AC (alternating current) power lines with voltages of 500 kV scored the highest overall. This was primarily because they result in lower costs for energy consumers, involve less engineering complexity, and have a proven track record for efficiently transporting large amounts of energy over long distances. For instance, to achieve the first 2GW offshore wind energy target, the preferred overhead AC options are estimated to cost between approximately $700 million and $1.5 billion. In contrast, the underground HVDC (high-voltage direct current) option is projected to cost significantly more, ranging between approximately $2 billion and $4.5 billion.
Link to Overhead vs Underground: comparing high voltage transmission infrastructure a white paper by Aurecon a design, engineering and advisory company 2023.
Link to Comparing High Voltage Overhead and Underground Transmission Infrastructure (up to 500kV) Research conducted by Curtin University and the University of Queensland 2023.
Link to Full Research Report
Meet Simon and Susan Tickner: Food, fibre and wind farmers from Gippsland who are showing how renewables and agriculture make a winning team. By hosting wind turbines and transmission lines, Simon is boosting both the sustainability and profitability of his farming operation—future-proofing it for the next generation.
Simon reckons that just like we rely on roads, airports and buildings, we need essential transmission lines to get clean energy from where it’s made to where it’s needed. These projects offer extra income for farmers through tough times like droughts and floods, keeping rural communities resilient.
Curtesy of The New Joneses
Gippsland Climate Change Network (GCCN) joined forces with The Energy Charter and partners to create a variety of Community Information Factsheet on Transmission. Transmission and agriculture is just one of the factsheet and valuable resources that can be accessed on the Understanding Australian Energy Transmission Projects Resource Hub.
Marinus Link
Marinus Link is a proposed undersea and underground electricity and data interconnector between North West Tasmania and the Latrobe Valley in Victoria.
Over the past few months, Marinus Link has taken multiple major steps forward, marking a turning point in the project’s development. With these pivotal milestones achieved, they are on track to commence construction in 2026.
With Marinus Link, Tasmania can import low-cost renewable energy, such as surplus solar, while reserving hydropower and storing the extra energy. Green hydropower can then be exported to the mainland grid when it is needed most to reduce the risk of brownouts.
Marinus Link comprises high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables, fibre optic cables, and converter stations in both Tasmania and Victoria. The cables will be about 345 kilometres long, including 255 kilometres of undersea cables across Bass Strait and 90 kilometres of underground cables in Victoria. Link to Marinus Community Engagement
This Marinus Link video aims to provide landholders and interested stakeholders with an overview of the Marinus Link project and the indicative construction methods along the 90km cable alignment in Gippsland, Victoria.
Link to more information on Marinus Link construction and fact sheets