The Hunter Region is undergoing a major transformation, with large-scale infrastructure projects set to drive economic growth and reshape the region’s future. As NSW moves towards cleaner energy and industrial diversification, two key projects are leading the charge in 2025: the Hunter Transmission Project and the Future Land Use and Enabling Works Project at Liddell Power Station.
Hunter Transmission Project – Powering NSW’s Future
As coal-fired power stations close, the Hunter Transmission Project (HTP) is a critical piece of infrastructure ensuring energy security for NSW. This project involves the construction of a 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line spanning approximately 100 kilometers between Bayswater in the Upper Hunter and Olney in the Lower Hunter.
This new infrastructure will form part of a 500 kV ring, which will serve as the backbone of NSW’s future electricity grid. By connecting the Central-West Orana and New England Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) to the broader grid, the project will enable a smooth transition to clean, renewable energy sources.
Key developments in 2025 include:
- Refining the transmission corridor based on community feedback and technical studies. The project has already reduced the number of affected private landowners from 78 to fewer than 25.
- Progress on technical studies, including assessments of biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, visual impacts, and traffic considerations.
- Appointment of Transgrid as the preferred network operator, responsible for delivering, operating, and maintaining the transmission infrastructure.
With the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) set to be lodged by mid-2025, the project is moving closer to reality. Recognised as Critical State Significant Infrastructure, the HTP is a cornerstone of NSW’s transition to a cleaner, more reliable energy future.
Liddell Power Station – A New Era for Industrial Land Use
Another significant project in 2025 is the Future Land Use and Enabling Works Project at Liddell Power Station. Approved by the Minns Labor Government, this initiative will see the demolition, remediation, and redevelopment of the former power station site into industrial land, unlocking new economic opportunities for the Upper Hunter.
Spanning approximately 143 hectares, the project represents a $260 million investment and is expected to generate 100 full-time equivalent jobs. The remediation works will include:
- Demolition of the decommissioned power station
- Recontouring and revegetation of the site
- Construction of a landfill for asbestos-contaminated materials
- Development of a borrow pit for civil works and capping
Following the closure of Liddell Power Station in 2023, energy company AGL committed to transforming the site into an industrial hub, ensuring the Upper Hunter remains a key economic driver for NSW. The project aligns with the Industrial Lands Action Plan, a government strategy focused on securing industrial land for future development, job creation, and investment in regional areas.
With work expected to commence in the next three months and continue over the next decade, this project marks a significant step towards diversifying the region’s economy beyond coal.
A Region on the Move
The Hunter Region has long been an industrial powerhouse, and these projects signal a new era of growth and innovation. Whether through strengthening energy infrastructure or revitalising industrial land, 2025 is set to be a landmark year for development in the region.
What do you think about these major projects? Let us know how you see the Hunter’s future unfolding!
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