New England REZ

  • Snap Shot

The New England Renewable Energy Zone is set to be the largest of NSW’s Renewable Energy Zones by capacity and scale. Located in northern NSW around Armidale, it will connect new wind, solar, storage and pumped-hydro generation to the grid, helping replace retiring coal-fired power as a cornerstone of the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

Turnbull Engineering is working directly with the client, EnergyCo, across two successive contracts providing Site Management Services and the Principal Contractor role for the project’s early works.

  • Location
    New England region, northern NSW (around Armidale)

  • Client
    Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo)

  • Project
    New England REZ - NSW’s largest renewable energy zone

  • Turnbull’s role
    Site Management Services & Principal Contractor (two successive contracts)

  • Scale
    Up to 6 GW capacity; ~575 km of new transmission, substations and energy hubs

  • Current contract
    CW-SR00625-1 • 19 Aug 2025 – 20 Dec 2028

  • Status
    In delivery; network operator procurement underway

Project Overview

EnergyCo, as infrastructure planner for the state’s renewable energy zones, is developing the New England REZ network - new high-voltage transmission lines, substations and energy hubs to carry renewable power to homes and businesses. The network will connect generation across the New England region to the existing grid, with the transmission corridor refined to around one kilometre wide running south to Bayswater Power Station.

As NSW’s largest REZ, the project is expected to unlock up to 6 gigawatts of new renewable generation and storage and involves around 575 kilometres of new transmission line. EnergyCo is running a competitive procurement to appoint a network operator to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the network, with a preferred operator expected in 2027 and financial close anticipated in 2028.

 
 

Turnbull’s Involvement

Turnbull’s first engagement covered Site Management Services for the New England REZ, with a scope that also included the Principal Contractor role. This contract was completed in 2025.

Initial contract (completed 2025)

Turnbull’s first engagement covered Site Management Services for the New England REZ, with a scope that also included the Principal Contractor role. This contract was completed in 2025.

Current contract — CW-SR00625-1 (2025–2028)

Turnbull’s current contract includes Site Management Services for the New England REZ (CW-SR00625-1), valued at around $10.8 million runs from 19 August 2025 to 20 December 2028. Turnbull coordinates and monitors site activities and continues to act as Principal Contractor, overseeing the contractors EnergyCo engages and making sure works are delivered safely, efficiently and in full compliance with WHS legislation, codes and EnergyCo’s policies and procedures.

Project Highlights

  • Principal Contractor on NSW’s largest REZ

    Turnbull is engaged directly by EnergyCo, the NSW Government body planning and delivering the state’s renewable energy zones, not as a subcontractor to a delivery consortium.

  • Designing around live traffic

    Across both contracts Turnbull has held the Principal Contractor role, carrying on-the-ground responsibility for the safety and compliance of EnergyCo’s early site works ahead of the Network Operator’s engagement.

  • NSW’s largest REZ

    The New England REZ is the largest of the state’s planned renewable energy zones, central to replacing retiring coal-fired generation under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

  • Backing the energy transition

    Up to 6 gigawatts of new renewable generation and storage, carried by around 575 kilometres of new transmission across the New England region.

By the numbers

6 GW

renewable capacity

~575 km

new transmission line

Largest

REZ in NSW

2025 → 2028

Turnbull contract term

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