Australia’s electricity system is undergoing one of the most significant infrastructure transformations in its history. As coal-fired generation retires and renewable energy generation expands rapidly across regional Australia, significant investment is required to expand and modernise the transmission network through a coordinated portfolio of Priority Transmission Projects.
The Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO’s) Integrated System Plan identifies these Priority Transmission Projects as essential to supporting the energy transition. The Australian Government’s Rewiring the Nation program is supporting delivery of these projects by providing billions of dollars in concessional finance through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), to accelerate transmission investment across the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Expanding the transmission network will enable renewable energy zones to connect to major demand centres, strengthen interconnection between states, and support sustainable, secure and reliable electricity for consumers.
Some of the major interconnector developments include Project EnergyConnect (NSW–SA), CopperString 2032 (QLD), Marinus Link (VIC–TAS), HumeLink (NSW), VNI West (VIC-NSW), Sydney South Ring (NSW), Central Queensland’s Super Grid, North West Transmission (TAS), Northern Transmission Project (SA), the Hunter Transmission Program (NSW) and QNI Connect (NSW-QLD).
Renewable Energy Zone transmission infrastructure projects include the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (NSW), the New England Renewable Energy Zone (NSW) and the Hunter and Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (NSW).
Collectively, these multi-billion-dollar developments in the NEM represent one of the largest coordinated expansions of Australia’s transmission network in recent history.
Supporting transmission delivery
Since 2020, TBH has been working with Network Operators and Contractors across key Priority Transmission Projects identified in AEMO’s Integrated System Plan, forming part of the Rewiring the Nation investment pipeline.
TBH’s involvement spans the provision of Strategic Advisory, Integrated Project Controls, Planning and Programming, Cost Estimation, Quantitative Risk Analysis and Smart reporting. Engagements extend from individual project delivery through to portfolio-level support across multiple concurrent transmission developments.
Across Project EnergyConnect, CopperString 2032, Marinus Link, HumeLink, VNI West, Kerang Link, Sydney Ring, the Hunter Transmission Project, the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, the New England Renewable Energy Zone and the Hunter and Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone, TBH has provided Integrated Project Controls and related advisory services across time, cost and risk.
Services have included planning and programming support, cost estimation, delivery of Integrated Project Controls, quantitative schedule and cost risk analysis and broader advisory services to support time, cost and contingency management. At a portfolio level, TBH’s work has also provided insights into coordination across concurrent major projects, allocation of critical resources, procurement and delivery strategy, and navigation of complex planning and regulatory pathways.
Experience across complex transmission programs
The scale and pace of transmission development required to support Australia’s energy transition have not been seen in several decades. TBH’s involvement across these Priority Transmission Projects reflects its extensive experience supporting the planning, development and delivery of large, complex infrastructure programs across the energy and utilities sectors.
Working alongside clients, TBH provides Strategic Advisory, Integrated Project Controls, time and cost management and quantitative risk analysis to support structured governance, disciplined forecasting and coordinated delivery in high-risk infrastructure environments.
“We’ve been involved in around 3,500 kilometres of major transmission lines, approximately 40 wind, solar and battery projects, and more than 45 connection assets linking generation to the grid,” says Ali Nami, TBH Director and Energy Lead. “For more than a decade, we’ve supported clients with planning, cost management and risk analysis to help them deliver these projects successfully.
“The same types of projects we are delivering in Australia are being delivered globally, and the skill sets required are directly transferable to countries developing renewable generation and transmission infrastructure to achieve net zero by 2050.”
As Australia continues to expand and modernise its transmission network, these Priority Transmission Projects form a critical foundation for strengthening grid reliability, enabling renewable energy integration and supporting the long-term affordability, resilience and security of the national electricity system.
Learn more about these projects here.
