Momentous - KerangLink to transform the Gannawarra
Published on 13 December 2021
Gannawarra Shire Council is thrilled with the Australian Energy Market Operator’s recommendation for the Victorian and Federal governments to proceed with developing KerangLink, which will enable current and future large-scale renewable energy projects to be constructed within the municipality and across north-western Victoria.
To be completed by 2031, KerangLink will connect Victoria and New South Wales’ electricity network via infrastructure that passes through the municipality, with the upgrading of current infrastructure and development of new transmission lines enabling local renewable energy facilities to feed into the national grid.
“Just like the development of irrigation changed the landscape of northern Victoria in the early 20th century, this project will transform the Gannawarra, enabling renewable projects such as wind, solar and battery storage to proceed in the municipality,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.
“KerangLink would not be possible without the support and advocacy from our local, State and Federal government colleagues. These include Federal Member for Mallee, Anne Webster; State Minister for Energy, Lily D’Ambrosio; State Government departments, including the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, and Regional Development Victoria; Mallee Regional Partnership; Murray River Group of Councils; and the Loddon Campaspe Group of Councils.”
AEMO has recommended that early works associated with KerangLink, also known as VNI West, should begin as soon as possible and be completed by 2026. These early works include project initiation, stakeholder engagement, land use planning, detailed engineering design, cost estimation and strategic network investment.
“The development of KerangLink will open up billions of dollars of investment, thousands of construction jobs in the years to come and potential millions to our Council in future Payment in Lieu of Rate payments,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly said.
“There will be huge demand for local services and accommodation over many years. Then there’s the additional jobs that will be created during the construction of each new renewable facility that will also benefit the local economy.
“KerangLink will set up Northern Victoria as the nation’s largest renewable energy zone and will secure the Gannawarra’s economic sustainability.”