Transgrid and Endeavour Energy plan electrical infrastructure for Aerotropolis

Transgrid and Endeavour Energy will join forces on a major electrical infrastructure project to power priority growth areas and precincts of the new Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

Flanked by the new Western Sydney International Airport and surrounding developments in Bradfield, the rapidly growing Aerotropolis is slated to be a high-skilled employment and economic hub that will transform Western Sydney. With construction and commissioning expected to be complete by the end of the decade, the Transgrid–Endeavour Energy project aligns with the rollout of major public and private developments across the Aerotropolis, including infrastructure such as the Sydney Metro and M12 Motorway.

The two companies are investing a combined $136.7 million to provide a secure and scalable renewable electricity supply for the region, connecting Western Sydney with renewable generators in NSW and interstate:

• Transgrid will invest $111.7 million to build a bulk supply point (BSP) at Kemps Creek. The BSP is a large electrical substation that acts as a gateway between the high-voltage transmission network and the local distribution substation. It should significantly increase the region’s capacity to support new development and improve network reliability.
   
• Endeavour Energy is investing $25 million to upgrade the local distribution network, as part of a forecast broader investment in the Aerotropolis region of $580 million over the next decade. This funding supports the development of new substations and feeders to meet the needs of growing communities, including new homes, schools, businesses and public transport hubs in the region.
   

Transgrid’s Executive General Manager of Delivery, Jennifer Hughes, said Western Sydney International Airport is driving a new era of economic prosperity for Greater Western Sydney, which is already the third largest economy in Australia.

“The Aerotropolis will be home to future-focused industries such as advanced manufacturing, research, training and education, data centres, freight and logistics, and agribusiness, potentially creating 120,000 new jobs,” she said.

“The Western Sydney Aerotropolis is one of the most significant infrastructure and economic development projects in Australia. This investment will ensure the area has the secure and resilient energy infrastructure it needs to support new industries, homes and innovation for decades to come.”

Endeavour Energy’s General Manager Future Grid & Asset Management, Colin Crisafulli, said the critical project is about building a smarter, stronger network for Western Sydney.

“We’re proud to be working with Transgrid to support the vision for Bradfield City and the broader Aerotropolis by delivering modern, flexible energy solutions that meet the needs of our customers and communities,” he said.

The joint project has been developed through the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T), a formal process that ensures large-scale electricity infrastructure is necessary and cost-effective, delivering the greatest long-term benefit for customers.

Transgrid and Endeavour Energy said they would continue to work with stakeholders, landowners and local communities to deliver the project responsibly and transparently.

Image caption: Aerial view of Western Sydney International Airport. Image credit: iStock.com/Phillip Wittke