A joint venture comprising power infrastructure provider GenusPlus Group and renewables developer ACCIONA has been awarded a contract to deliver Transgrid’s $1.4 billion HumeLink Transmission Project.
HumeLink is one of New South Wales’ largest energy infrastructure projects connecting Wagga Wagga, Bannaby and Maragle and includes new and upgraded infrastructure at four substation locations. It will deliver a cheaper, more reliable and more sustainable grid by increasing the capacity for renewable energy to be delivered across the national electricity grid.
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Genus and ACCIONA will design and construct 237km of dual circuit 500kV Overhead Transmission Lines running from Bannaby to Wondalga and the upgrading of the Bannaby 500kV substation.
The contract works will be performed over a three-year period and are estimated to be completed in mid-2026. At its peak, the project will employ circa 700 personnel. The initial phase will involve detailed design and procurement for the project with the expected commencement of works onsite in quarter 4 of 2024, subject to Environmental Impact Statement, Construction Environmental Management Plan and Australian Energy Regulator (AER) approvals.
GenusPlus Group managing director David Riches said, “We are delighted to have secured this contract with Transgrid alongside our joint venture partner ACCIONA. Together we will support Transgrid as Genus continues to grow our national footprint.
“This milestone award gives us great confidence that the market sees our capacity to deliver such a complex, significant project which will be critical in realising Australia’s clean energy ambitions.
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“We very much value the relationship we have forged with Transgrid and look forward to building on this into the future.”
The HumeLink contracts are structured in two stages, with early works to begin immediately and finish in mid-2024, including detailed design, investigations, procurement and project mobilisation. The second stage comprises main construction works and will begin after all project approvals have been granted and the final investment decision made, expected to occur in July 2024.
