Farms For Food
Transmission Lines and Farming
The rollout of new transmission lines across Australia, particularly in Renewable Energy Zones (REZs), is a significant part of the nation's transitioning towards increasing the capacity of its lines and tapping into renewable energy projects.
What are Renewable Energy Zones (REZ)?
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Renewable Energy Zones are designated areas that are identified as having high potential for renewable energy generation, such as wind and solar. The goal of REZs is to optimize the development of renewable energy resources and support the transition to a low-emission energy system.
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New transmission lines are being built to connect renewable energy projects within REZs to the existing electricity grid, ensuring efficient transport of electricity from generation sites to consumers.
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The intended objective of the transmission lines is to help the grid's capacity helps manage the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. By clearly designating REZs the government aims to attract private investment in renewable energy projects.
The rollout of transmission lines supports Australia’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by facilitating the expansion of renewable energy generation, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
The project involves collaboration between federal and state governments and energy companies to ensure its implementation.
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As of now, several REZs are in various stages of planning and development across Australia.
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Who is who?
Here's an overview of VicGrid, AEMO, VNI West, Transgrid and TCV along with their relationships to each other:
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VicGrid
VicGrid refers to the electricity transmission network in Victoria. VicGrid was established by the Victorian Government in 2021 as a division within the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
​AEMO (Australian Energy Market Operator)
AEMO is the organization responsible for operating Australia’s electricity and gas markets. AEMO manages the National Electricity Market (NEM) and oversees the planning and operation of the power grid, including ensuring reliability and security. It also plays a key role in coordinating the integration of renewable energy into the grid and developing strategies for future energy needs. The organisation is owned 60% by the Government and 40% by industry and market participants
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VNI West (Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector West)
VNI West is a proposed major transmission project aimed to interconnect between Victoria and New South Wales.
The VNI West project, which intends to connect the electricity grids of Victoria and New South Wales, is funded through a combination of equity commitments and government support. Transgrid's security holders have committed nearly $700 million to advance the early works of the project. Additionally, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has provided $140 million in concessional financing under the Federal Government's $20 billion Rewiring the Nation (RTN) program
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Transgrid
Transgrid is the transmission network operator for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. It manages the high-voltage electricity transmission network in NSW, connecting power generation facilities to the grid and ensuring the reliable supply of electricity. Transgrid is also involved in various projects to enhance interconnection, including the VNI West project.
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Transgrid is owned by a consortium of investors under a 99-year lease agreement. The ownership structure includes:
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Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ): 22.505%
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Utilities Trust of Australia (UTA): 22.505%
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Tawreed Investments: 19.99%
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OMERS (Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System): 19.99%
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Spark Infrastructure: 15.01%
Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) is a subsidiary of Transgrid, which is responsible for delivering the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) project. It has recently been granted an electricity transmission licence by the Essential Services Commission.
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AEMO coordinates with both VicGrid and Transgrid to ensure that transmission infrastructure supports the broader goals of the NEM, particularly in integrating renewable energy and improving reliability.
VNI West represents a collaborative effort between Transgrid and VicGrid to strengthen the link between NSW and Victoria, allowing for better energy trading and reliability across states.
AEMO oversees the operation of the electricity market in which VicGrid and Transgrid operate, ensuring that all transmission networks function cohesively within the NEM.
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Overall, these entities are interconnected through their roles in managing, operating, and planning Australia's electricity transmission system.
Gerald Feeny- Farmer
“I didn’t think TCV was a fit entity to hold a transmission licence considering it wasn’t and isn’t a transmission company. TCV are never going to transmit electricity, that is not their capability and because they are subsidiary or AEMO not can they nor should the transmit electricity as AEMO is the operator with extraordinary powers in the system and operates the network itself.”
Gerald Feeny- Farmer
“When you drill down on this it’s actually very nasty by the state and national governments to push their rights on tip of farmers, on top of agriculture to get what they want.
They are going to try to force us, to use the law and use penalties, courts and police to force us. That is the ugly face of renewables. That is the ugly face of this transition by 2030.”
Gerald Feeny- Farmer
“They denied us access to National Electricity law, they denied us access the VCAT to any recourse for this this, they have torn up the [law] book, they have thrown it away. They cannot expect us to abide by laws they do not abide by themselves.”
What will it all look like?
The VNI West (Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector West) project will involve the construction of new high-voltage transmission lines between Victoria and New South Wales.
Here are the key details regarding the size and capacity of these transmission lines:​
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Voltage Level: For the proposed Victoria to NSW Interconnector West (VNI West), which involves a 500 kV double circuit transmission line, the easement requirements are typically larger due to the high voltage and the nature of the infrastructure.
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Physical Structure: The lines will consist of large steel towers, typically spaced several hundred metres apart, and the exact height and design will depend on terrain and environmental considerations. Tower heights can range from approximately 60 to 70 metres, depending on the specific design and location.
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Easements: The easement for a 500 kV transmission line is generally about 50 to 80 metres wide on either side of the centreline of the transmission line ​. This could result in a total easement area of approximately 100 to 160 metres across.
What are the issues for farmers?
Compulsory Land Acquisition
Where land that is deemed to be an appropriate location for a public service, the Victorian Government and its agencies are empowered under the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 to acquire the land under a “compulsory process”. This is commonly known as “compulsory land acquisition”. Under this process, a landowner will be paid “compensation” by the government or entity acquiring their land, in accordance with the Act.
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Many farmers or landowners do not want to be compensated, they would prefer to not have the infrastructure built on their property at all.
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Land Use
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There is a lot of uncertainty about where and when the transmission lines will go up and how this will affect farming practices. Overhead transmission lines can impact farming machinery, irrigators and pose additional safety risks.
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Physical Hazards-
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Height Clearance: Farm machinery, especially larger equipment like harvesters or tractors with attached implements, may have difficulty navigating under transmission lines if there isn’t sufficient clearance. This can lead to accidents or equipment damage.
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Collisions: There’s a risk of collision with transmission lines, particularly when operating tall equipment or during activities such as planting or harvesting.
Operational Limitations-
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Field Accessibility: Transmission lines can limit access to certain areas of farmland, making it more challenging to manoeuvre machinery and potentially reducing the usable land area.
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Crop Management: The presence of lines can complicate crop planting and management, especially if they obstruct certain field layouts or create shaded areas that affect crop growth.
Electrical Hazards-
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Electrocution Risk: There is a potential risk of electrocution if machinery or tools come into contact with the lines, especially if the equipment is improperly grounded.
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Induced Voltage: Farmers may be at risk from induced voltage, which can occur when high-voltage transmission lines create voltage in nearby conductive objects, including farm machinery.
Maintenance and Management
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Vegetation Management: Transmission lines require a clear zone to prevent interference from trees or tall crops, which may necessitate additional management efforts, including trimming or removing vegetation.
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Increased Costs: The need for additional precautions, maintenance, or adjustments to farming practices can lead to increased operational costs for farmers.
Noise and EMF Concerns
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Noise Pollution: The operation of high-voltage lines can generate noise (like humming), which may interfere with farm operations or livestock.
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Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs): Farmers may have concerns about the potential impact of EMFs on livestock health or crop yields.
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