The HCC REZ is critical to ensuring the renewables potential of the Hunter area can be harnessed to deliver a reliable and sustainable energy supply for the region. It is the biggest enhancement to the Ausgrid network in more than 25 years. The HCC REZ will have the capacity to transfer an additional 1 gigawatt of renewable energy by 2028.
By using our existing easements (electricity corridors) it will minimise impacts to landowners, community and the environment.
The network infrastructure upgrades run from Kurri Kurri to Muswellbrook.
As this project progresses, it opens new business opportunities and supply chain needs. Businesses can register their capabilities through our ICN Gateway page.
By registering, businesses can showcase their products and services to be a part of the project’s supply chain.
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The HCC REZ is the Renewable Energy Zone, declared by the Minister for Energy in 2022, that stretches through parts of the Central Coast, Newcastle and Hunter regions.
This region will become host to numerous solar, wind and hydro generation projects, as well as large-scale batteries, delivering an additional 1GW network transfer capacity to the grid.
The Hunter and Central Coast regions have excellent renewable energy resources and can utilise existing power stations, rehabilitated mining land, electricity network infrastructure, port and transport facilities, and a skilled workforce, making it an excellent choice for a REZ.
Ausgrid’s proposed works include:
The proposed network infrastructure upgrades run from Kurri Kurri to Muswellbrook.
To enable the increase in network capacity, upgrades need to be made to the existing infrastructure.
In December 2024, Ausgrid signed an agreement with EnergyCo to be the preferred network operator to provide an additional 1GW of renewable energy transfer capacity by 2028. Ausgrid is responsible for the planning, design, construction, financing, operating and maintaining the network infrastructure of the HCC REZ project.
Ausgrid will replace approximately 85km of existing sub-transmission lines between Kurri Kurri and Muswellbrook.
Timber poles would be replaced with taller, stronger, metal monopoles, like this:
The proposed new substations are located in Muswellbrook (Sandy Creek substation) and Singleton (Antiene substation).
No. The HCC REZ upgrades refer to the sub-transmission infrastructure, while the Hunter Transmission Project (HTP) is a new transmission line (lattice towers) project, to connect the Central West Orana and New England REZs with the existing 500kV transmission network at Eraring.
Ausgrid has reviewed and considered against the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) and has determined the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone Network Infrastructure project approved to proceed to construction.
Under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Ausgrid is the determining authority for this project. As part of the REF process, an environmental assessment (known as a Review of Environmental Factors, or REF) has been prepared to assess the potential environmental impacts associated with the project.
Appendix D – Noise Impact Assessment
Appendix E – Geotechnical Investigations
Appendix F – Contamination Reports
Appendix G – Ecological Assessment Report
Appendix H – Bushfire Assessment Report
Appendix I – Aboriginal Heritage
Appendix J – Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment
Ausgrid is working closely with the community and regional stakeholders during the delivery of the HCC REZ.
Planning, designing and building new electricity network infrastructure in the Hunter and Central Coast regions requires a detailed understanding of the area’s future large energy users and renewable energy projects.
Ausgrid is dedicated to working continuously with local landowners, communities and businesses, to ensure we deliver social value to the communities that will host the infrastructure required.
Yes, some landowners will be affected.
Wherever possible, Ausgrid has used the existing infrastructure corridor to minimise potential impact on landowners.
We have been in contact with owners of affected land will continue to work with these important stakeholders throughout the lifetime of the Project.
EnergyCo and Ausgrid are committed to working with potentially affected landowners to minimise impacts on farming, mining and other business activities through the life of the project.
During the planning phase, we want to understand farming operations and other possible property impacts or concerns to inform the design and location of the sub-transmission route.
This could include avoiding dwellings, limiting construction access, and other amenity issues.
Upper Hunter Show – 20 March
Tocal – 2-3 May
Festival of the Fleeces – 6-8 June
For more information on upcoming drop-in sessions and webinars, and register to receive project updates.
A strategy for future of energy in the Wanaruah / Wonnarua Community, developed by the Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council (WLALC), Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation (WNAC), and the Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation (UAC).
Phone: 1800 955 635 Mon to Fri, 9am - 4pm
Email: HCCREZ@ausgrid.com.au
GPO Box 4009 Sydney NSW 2001
