A new agreement between Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and EnergyCo will upgrade New South Wales’ road network to help accelerate the transition to renewables.
EnergyCo has finalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with TfNSW to facilitate the rollout of Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) with road improvements.
The ‘Port to REZ’ agreement will see upgrades undertaken in consultation with communities, councils and road-users to help support the build-out of critical infrastructure for NSW’s energy future.
As part of the upgrades, components for renewable energy projects and supporting transmission infrastructure will need to be transported from ports to the REZs along the existing road network.
These include wind turbines, towers and transformers.
The MOU ensures TfNSW will be able to help EnergyCo identify appropriate corridors for the transportation of over-sized and over-mass (OSOM) components to REZs and priority transmission network infrastructure projects.
Together with EnergyCo, TfNSW will plan, consult and undertake necessary works to ensure the identified roads can support the anticipated transportation requirements.
They will also develop a strategy and framework to efficiently and safely manage the transportation of OSOM loads along these routes.
EnergyCo Chief Executive, James Hay, said EnergyCo will lead consultation with renewable generators, landowners and councils around relevant roadworks.
“The Port to REZ MOU between EnergyCo and TfNSW is another example of how we are taking a whole-of-government and community-focused approach to delivering a clean, reliable and affordable energy system for the State,” he said.
“It complements EnergyCo’s agreement with the Department of Planning to establish dedicated resources for assessment of major energy projects in NSW REZs, and EnergyCo’s partnership with the Port of Newcastle to understand the logistics required to support renewable energy development in NSW.”
TfNSW Executive Director, Regional Community and Places, Anthony Hayes, said the transport task associated with these projects is substantial.
“For many of these projects, hundreds of massive components will need to be safely and efficiently moved across our road network,” he said.
“By working together, we will ensure the best routes are identified and ready to enable the manoeuvring of these key components to their destinations in the Renewable Energy Zones, with minimal impact to the community.”
Individual developers will still be responsible for addressing their respective road haulage requirements and will need to plan for and implement any necessary measures to ensure OSOM vehicle movements can be accommodated on local road networks to their project sites.
