Renewable energy projects, such as wind or solar farms, need transmission lines to supply the electricity generated to customers.

Renewable Energy Zones offer a coordinated approach that minimises the infrastructure needed by providing opportunities for multiple projects to share transmission lines.

The Tasmanian Government has identified a Proposed REZ, which requires the development of:

  • A 220kV transmission line from Burnie to Hampshire Hills, mostly utilising existing easements. This is part of the North West Transmission Development planned by TasNetworks.
  • A substation at Hampshire Hills

To be part of the REZ, renewable energy projects will be required to connect to the Burnie to Hampshire Hills transmission line, reducing the need for project-by-project transmission lines connecting back to Burnie.

There are two projects currently planned within the Proposed REZ which are expected to each generate at least 300 MW.

It is expected that the potential 1000MW capacity for the REZ would allow for one or two more windfarms to be built within the REZ.

A zoom of the map detailing the REZ infrastructure.

The 220kV transmission line from Burnie to Hampshire Hills, mostly utilising existing easements. This is part of the North West Transmission Development planned by TasNetworks.