Swan Hill Rural City Council supports upgrading the interconnector capacity between Victoria and NSW as part of the VNI West project.
Council recognises that the energy landscape across the National Electricity Market is changing and that well-targeted and timely invested in the transmission network is required to keep pace with these changes.
Acting Mayor, Cr Bill Moar said Council supported the proposed preferred option VNI West as identified in the VNI West Project Assessment Draft Report.
This new high capacity 500 kV double-circuit overhead transmission line will connect the Western Renewables Link (north of Ballarat) with Project EnergyConnect (at Dinawan) via new stations near Bendigo and Kerang.
“Council strongly supports upgrading the interconnector capacity between Victoria and NSW as part of the overall upgrading of the transmission network and agrees with the proposed preferred option,” Cr Moar said.
Cr Moar said that the VNI West project aims to unlock additional renewable energy projects from existing and future renewable energy zones in Victoria and New South Wales, as coal-fired power stations close.
“This project will increase the capacity for sharing electricity between Victoria and New South Wales, improving the reliability and security of electricity supply for both states, while also reducing carbon emissions, and helping to achieve state-based renewable energy targets” he said.
Cr Moar said while Council is supportive of the preferred option, it considers VNI West to be a minimum augmentation option, where additional capacity is required to accommodate and maximise the potential of the Swan Hill region and the wider Murray River Renewable Energy Zone.
