TransGrid has published its Transmission Annual Planning Report (TAPR) 2017.
Over the next ten years, the retirement of baseload power stations will reduce the firm generation capacity in New South Wales and put the power system under pressure to reliably meet the state’s demand. At the same time, significant interest in renewable generation development will exceed the existing network capacity in renewable resource areas.
In response to the challenges facing the power system, and consistent with the blueprint developed by Dr Alan Finkel and his taskforce, TransGrid has developed a plan to transition to the energy system of the future. The plan will deliver a low cost platform that will underpin the transition to low emissions generation, maintain system security and reduce inflated wholesale market prices across the NEM.
The plan will address the projected shortfall in generation, open new renewable energy precincts, place downward pressure on the wholesale market price and maintain the resilience of the power system.
Electricity users will benefit from the competitive pressure in the wholesale market applied by new generation and stronger interconnection, and be able to participate in the energy system by providing demand management and energy storage.
The document is available at www.transgrid.com.au/publications. TransGrid welcomes feedback and enquiries via the contact details in TAPR 2017.