As Australia transitions towards a cleaner energy future, the growth of renewable energy has driven significant investment in critical infrastructure for energy connection and storage.
In New South Wales, the government is establishing Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) across the state – purpose-built hubs that consolidate wind and solar generation into strategic locations where energy can be efficiently stored and transmitted.
The Central-West Orana REZ is the first of these zones to progress to construction. Led by EnergyCo NSW, this flagship initiative is designed to facilitate the delivery of renewable energy to the state’s power grid, enabling a secure, reliable, and sustainable energy supply for generations to come.
The Central-West Orana REZ represents a significant investment in NSW’s energy infrastructure, with a total project value of $5 billion. Once complete, the project will deliver at least 4.5 gigawatts of new transmission capacity by 2028, enough to connect 7.7 gigawatts of new wind and solar projects to the grid. This capacity is sufficient to power more than 2 million homes annually.
Laying the foundations for a renewable energy network
WT was appointed by EnergyCo NSW in 2025 to provide expert cost management and quantity surveying services during the delivery phase of the Central-West Orana REZ. Our engagement spans four major sub-packages that together form the broader transmission program: the network infrastructure agreement, the generation access agreements, a significant regional road upgrade package, and the non-contestable existing infrastructure augmentation package.
Our role involves detailed cost estimating and post-contract cost assessment, ensuring value-for-money outcomes and financial certainty across all project components. Given the size and complexity of the program, our advisory services are critical to achieving efficient project delivery and supporting the long-term success of the REZ.
As the first REZ to be delivered under the NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, the Central-West Orana project sets the precedent for future renewable energy developments across the country. WT is proud to play a key role in enabling this landmark initiative, helping to pave the way for a more resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy network for NSW and beyond.
Stock image for illustrative purposes only.
