Australian energy sector news – week ending 13 September 2026
07 Sep 2026 to 13 Sep 2026
- Total updates
- 8
- New projects
- 0
- Commissioned projects
- 0
- Incidents
- 1
This week saw two verified regulatory/planning updates affecting the transmission build program: the AER directed Powerlink to progress a revised system‑strength assessment with specific October–December deadlines, and NSW’s environment department published the latest biodiversity offset delivery report for EnergyCo’s Central‑West Orana REZ transmission project. Field work notices continued on the Hunter Transmission Project and Endeavour Energy restored customers after severe winds on 7 September. No new major transmission projects were announced.
Based on publicly accessible sources reviewed as at the reporting period end date.
Next updates
- AEMO’s Project EnergyConnect market‑integration plan flags two near‑term dates: include the new interconnector in dispatch from 1 October 2026 and implement updated settlements from 2 November 2026. See AEMO’s PEC‑MI page (timeline and record of activities). AEMO PEC‑MI. (aemo.com.au)
- Transgrid’s Mount Piper–Wallerawang upgrade page shows “Construction works – Proposed: September 2026,” with commissioning proposed November 2026; teams should watch for start‑of‑works notifications. Project page. (transgrid.com.au)
- Western Power advises site clearing for the Wundowie Substation Rebuild is scheduled to commence on 14 September 2026; stakeholders near the site should expect mobilisation next week. Wundowie project notice. (letstalkpower.westernpower.com.au)
- AER consultation on Transgrid’s capex reopener for Project EnergyConnect remains open until 1 October 2026. AER consultation page. (aer.gov.au)
Confirmed weekly changes
- AER requires Powerlink to respond to a material change in circumstances for Queensland system‑strength planning under the RIT‑T. The determination (9 September 2026) sets deadlines for a draft analysis by 19 October 2026 and a final statement by 9 December 2026. AER determination. Verification level A. (aer.gov.au)
- NSW Environment published the Central‑West Orana Transmission Project Strategic Offset Delivery Agreement progress report for April–June 2026 (11 September 2026). This tracks credit purchases, commitments and delivery for EnergyCo’s offsets. Offset progress report. Verification level A. (environment.nsw.gov.au)
- Storm restoration: Endeavour Energy reported widespread damage from severe winds on Monday 7 September, with ongoing repairs in the Bilpin–Upper Colo area. Transmission‑scale failures were not reported. Endeavour storm update, 7 Sep. Verification level A. (endeavourenergy.com.au)
Major project status changes
- HumeLink (NSW, 500 kV): Main construction is underway on both East (Acciona–Genus JV) and West (UGL–CPB JV). Transgrid states ~365 km of new overhead 500 kV lines plus substation works, with construction in progress. Overview; HumeLink East; HumeLink West. (transgrid.com.au)
- Project EnergyConnect (SA–NSW–VIC, 330 kV): SA section is built; commissioning and inter‑network testing across the corridor continues. AEMO’s integration plan targets dispatch inclusion from 1 Oct 2026 and settlements changes from 2 Nov 2026. Transgrid PEC page; ElectraNet TAPR 2026 (330 kV confirmation); AEMO PEC‑MI. (transgrid.com.au)
- VNI West (NSW/VIC, 500 kV): NSW EIS exhibited Aug 2025; design refinements ongoing. In Victoria, the EES remains in preparation and is expected to exhibit in 2026. Transgrid VNI West; VNI West EIS summary (NSW); Vic EES FAQs. (transgrid.com.au)
- Western Renewables Link (VIC): EES exhibition closed 25 Aug 2025; the Inquiry and Advisory Committee submitted its report to the Minister on 8 May 2026; assessment pending. WRL EES landing. (westernrenewableslink.com.au)
- Central‑West Orana REZ Transmission (NSW, 500/330 kV mix): Construction commenced June 2025; offset reporting and approvals tracking continue. EnergyCo project page; EPBC referral summary (scope and voltages); Offset progress Apr–Jun 2026. (energyco.nsw.gov.au)
- Hunter Transmission Project (NSW, 500 kV): Planning approval issued July 2026; detailed design and tendering continue. September field‑work notifications were posted. Construction is expected late 2026–late 2029 (subject to remaining approvals/requirements). HTP main page; HTP resources incl. Sept 2026 work notice; Industry opportunities/shortlist context. (energyco.nsw.gov.au)
- Mount Piper–Wallerawang (NSW): Project approved May 2026; Transgrid indicates pre‑construction in July and construction proposed for September 2026. Project page. (transgrid.com.au)
- North West Transmission Developments (TAS): TasNetworks confirms notice to proceed to Genus and the start of construction in August 2026; project pages continue to note staged delivery and procurement. NWTD project page. (tasnetworks.com.au)
New and materially updated projects
No new transmission projects (33–500 kV) were announced or formally added to public pipelines during 7–13 September 2026. If you have a lead, please share the primary notice so we can verify it (we do not publish unverified items).
Contracts, tenders and procurement
- TasNetworks: current public tenders include Registration – Statewide Substation Building & Property Maintenance (closes 21 September 2026) and RFTs for Aerial Inspection Services (Distribution) closing 12 October and (Transmission) closing 15 October 2026. Access via TasNetworks TenderLink. TasNetworks tenders. Verification level A. (portal.tenderlink.com)
Panel register changes
No verified changes to standing panel arrangements were published this week. We refreshed the Western Power engineering panel entry below against the current public listing; no membership change was identified in our 13 September check. Western Power panel listing. (westernpower.com.au)
Panels and project shortlists
- Hunter Transmission Project: EnergyCo states it has shortlisted seven contractors for two key work packages (transmission line; substations/switching stations). Names are referenced via a linked media release; the shortlist count is published on the project “Industry opportunities” page. Industry opportunities. Verification level A (count only; names not reproduced here). (energyco.nsw.gov.au)
Incidents and restoration work
- Severe wind event (NSW, 7 September 2026): Endeavour Energy reported damage and ongoing repairs in Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury localities; no transmission‑tower failures were reported. Update 7 Sep 2026. Verification level A. (endeavourenergy.com.au)
- No other verified transmission tower/conductor failures, bushfire restoration events, or high‑voltage re‑energisation notices were located for this week.
General sector news
- Waratah Super Battery (NSW): Media and data aggregators reported full‑rating (850 MW) test output on 7 September and a 700 MW discharge meeting the SIPS obligation later in the week; Akaysha previously confirmed 700 MW operation in June with HVT3 return expected later in 2026. Treat weekly test claims as secondary until confirmed by the owner/operator. Energy‑Storage.News; Akaysha 700 MW update. Verification level C (test outputs), A (June 2026 status). (energy-storage.news)
- Transgrid 2028–33 revenue proposal engagement: Draft Plan consultation is expected during September 2026 (process roadmap). This is relevant to forward capex envelopes for transmission. Transgrid RP4 engagement plan. Verification level A. (transgrid.com.au)