Hunter Transmission Project
The Hunter Transmission Project (HTP) is one of the most critical pieces of new clean energy transmission infrastructure in Australia, which will link Bayswater and Eraring power stations. The state government has set an early 2028 deadline for this multi-billion dollar project, which will play an instrumental role in transporting renewable energy from the New England and Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zones to homes and businesses in the Hunter, Sydney and the Illawarra. The HTP will involve building a new above-ground 500 kilovolt transmission line between the power stations to connect the state's existing 500 kV transmission lines.
The current preferred route for this new infrastructure includes mining and industrial land, state forest and private property. Between Bayswater and Broke, the corridor runs mostly through land owned by power stations and mining companies. It then heads into the Pokolbin, Corrabare and Olney State forests, before following the existing 500 kV transmission line through Martinsville and Cooranbong to Eraring.
Project Background
The state's ageing coal-fired power stations are reaching the end of their life. Some are closing faster than expected, with most due to shut in the next 10 years.
At the same time, our demand for electricity is increasing as our population grows and we electrify our vehicles, homes, businesses and industry.
The NSW Government has a plan to ensure this demand is supplied by renewable energy and to provide cleaner, more affordable and reliable electricity to consumers.
EnergyCo is leading the implementation of this plan, which involves:
- generating electricity (wind and solar) in Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) across NSW
- improving the reliability of the grid with new storage capacity (batteries and pumped hydro)
- building new transmission infrastructure such as the Hunter Transmission Project (HTP) to deliver clean energy to consumers.
It involves building a new above-ground 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line of around 115 kilometres between Bayswater in the Upper Hunter and Eraring in the Lower Hunter to connect the State’s existing 500 kV transmission lines. This will help create a 500 kV ring of transmission infrastructure that will provide the backbone of the State’s new electricity grid for generations to come.
Importantly, it will unlock the electricity supply from the Central-West Orana and New England REZs and allow it to be imported to the new electricity grid via Bayswater. From here it will be delivered to consumers in the Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra where 80% of electricity is consumed.
The HTP is urgent and must be operating by 2027/2028.
Frequently asked questions
Finding a suitable route
In a region as diverse as the Hunter, it’s difficult to find a suitable route for a new transmission line between Bayswater and Eraring.
After extensive investigations, NSW Energy Co identified a preliminary corridor where the HTP could be located that seeks to strike a reasonable balance between different land uses in the Hunter.
Most of the corridor crosses mining and suitable public land like State forests. It also avoids sensitive areas such as major towns and villages, the Pokolbin wine/tourist area and national parks.
While some impacts on private land can’t be avoided, the preliminary corridor affects as few private properties as possible. It also provides flexibility to avoid environmentally sensitive areas important for biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Downloadable map
Public exhibition of the HTP preliminary corridor
The proposed 115 kilometre route is now on public exhibition for community feedback until 18 December, and you can find more about the project, community sessions, submissions and plans at energyco.nsw.gov.au/htp.
The HTP Overview describes:
- why the HTP is urgently needed as coal-fired power stations close and New South Wales (NSW) transitions to renewable energy
- how the HTP preliminary corridor was chosen as the most suitable option for this urgently needed transmission project
- how the Hunter community can join the conversation and provide feedback on the HTP preliminary corridor during the public exhibition.
Read the HTP Overview
How to submit your feedback
Energy Co is interested in receiving your feedback on:
- the strategic need for the project and the role it will play in the transition to a cleaner future
- the HTP preliminary corridor (where the new transmission line could be located)
- ways we could minimise the project impacts
- opportunities to maximise the project benefits
- anything else you want us to know.
Please choose from the following options:
Public Information Sessions
Are you keen to know more about the HTP preliminary corridor?
Would you like an opportunity to ask questions about the public exhibition process and what happens next?
You’re invited to attend one of these public information sessions for the community:
- 5 December – Cooranbong Community Hall, 614 Freemans Dr Cooranbong 2265, 3pm to 7pm
- 6 December – Singleton Youth Venue, corner of Pitt St and Bathurst St Singleton 2330, 3pm to 7pm
- 7 December – Millfield Community Hall, 25 Bennett St Millfield 2325, 3pm to 7pm
Contact Energy Co
If you have any questions about the Hunter Transmission Project or would like to provide feedback, please contact us.
Email: htp@energyco.nsw.gov.au
Tel: 1800 645 972 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)