ACCIONA, in the ACEREZ partnership with COBRA and Endeavour Energy, has reached financial close today for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of the transmission network for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) in New South Wales. The project includes 90 kilometres of 500kV transmission lines and 150 kilometres of 330kV transmission lines to connect several renewable energy generation facilities to the grid. They will extend from Elong Elong in the west to Barigan Creek in the east via the Merotherie power centre, with eight substations.

The financial close is a further step in the development of one of Australia's largest green energy transmission networks, comprising the first REZ built in the country. The Central-West Orana project, which covers 20,000 square kilometres, will initially involve the deployment of up to 4.5GW of grid capacity, equivalent to the supply for two million homes.

The project will support Australia's transition to a low-carbon economy and provide significant economic benefits to the region, with a projected private investment of up to AU$20 billion (€12.4 billion) by 2030.

Furthermore, it will bring long-term benefits to the community, as the REZ will act as a catalyst for economic growth, enable local businesses to thrive and generate substantial employment opportunities with the creation of approximately 5,000 new jobs during the construction phase.

The ACEREZ partnership will work together with landowners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, community members, councils and other stakeholders to offer a sustainable energy future for the region.

EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE

Also in Australia, ACCIONA, in alliance with Genus, was selected in 2023 to carry out the construction of the Eastern section of the HumeLink power transmission line in New South Wales. The project includes the design and construction of 237 kilometres of overhead transmission lines and the modernisation of a 500kV substation, with an investment of AU$1.4 billion (€850 million).

In Peru, ACCIONA is developing eight transmission concession projects, including the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of 1,200 kilometres of 500kV and 220kV power lines, 14 new substations and 17 substation extensions.

In 2024 ACCIONA reached an agreement with Darby International Capital to acquire its high-voltage transmission line business in Peru, in a €220 million investment that positioned ACCIONA as one of the main operators in the sector in Latin America. The deal included the incorporation of engineering, procurement, construction and operation and maintenance teams, with proven experience in the management of more than 4,200 kilometres of transmission lines and 30 substations.

ACCIONA has more than twenty years of experience in the financing, design and construction of transmission networks and electrical substations of different sizes – from low-voltage facilities to power lines and substations – both in Spain and in countries such as Kenya, Mexico and Peru.