Transgrid has recently published a Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) for increasing capacity for generation in the Molong and Parkes area of Central West NSW.
The Molong and Parkes area has seen significant growth in renewable generation connections to the transmission network, as part of the wider energy market transition. New renewable generators have connected or are planning to connect to the network west of our Molong 132/66 kV substation. Nineteen solar and wind generation farms in the area with a combined output of 1,273 MW are already in service, with a further 1,148 MW of generation committed or in advanced stage.
The Molong and Parkes area has seen significant growth in renewable generation connections to the transmission network, as part of the wider energy market transition. New renewable generators have connected or are planning to connect to the network west of our Molong 132/66 kV substation. Nineteen solar and wind generation farms in the area with a combined output of 1,273 MW are already in service, with a further 1,148 MW of generation committed or anticipated at the time the Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) was published in June 2023. Since the publication of the PADR, an additional 1,250 MW of committed and anticipated wind and solar generation capacity has been added in the Molong and Parks area.
Line 94T plays a central role in transmitting the electricity from these renewable generators in the Molong and Parkes area to the load in Orange. It connects Molong substation to Orange North switching station, which in turn supplies Orange city, Cadia Mine and surrounding areas.
The current rating of the 132 kV Line 94T (Molong – Orange North), is constraining renewable generation in the Molong and Parkes area. AEMO’s monthly constraint reports since September 2021 have consistently identified Line 94T as a top 10 constraint on the National Electricity Market (NEM). Network modelling shows thermal overloading of Line 94T is expected under normal system conditions with the current level of in-service and committed generation dispatched to their maximum capacities. Hence, we have identified the opportunity to strengthen the transmission network to relieve this constraint and realise net market benefits by avoiding curtailment of low-cost renewable generation in the Molong and Parkes area.
In June 2023, Transgrid published the Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) and invited written submissions on the material contained in the PADR. Three submissions were received in response to the PADR. The key matters raised in submissions relevant to the RIT-T assessment, as well as our responses and how the matters raised have been reflected in the PACR assessment, are summarised within the PACR. Transgrid thanks those who made a submission throughout the RIT-T process.
This PACR finds that Option 2 is the preferred option for meeting the identified need on a weighted basis and in the sensitivities assessed. This option involves increasing Line 94T’s summer daytime thermal rating, by restringing Line 94T with a higher capacity conductor.
In accordance with the requirements of the National Electricity Rules, a summary of the PACR is made available on the AEMO website. A copy of the PACR can be obtained from Transgrid’s website or by emailing regulatory.consultation@transgrid.com.au