A collaborative case study of EnergyCo, ACEREZ and ICN NSW
EnergyCo plays a pivotal role in New South Wales’ energy transition. Established as a statutory authority, EnergyCo is appointed with planning, coordinating and delivering Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and priority transmission infrastructure projects (PTIPs). EnergyCo is leading the development of five REZ transmission projects across NSW: the Central-West Orana REZ, New England REZ, South West REZ, Hunter-Central Coast REZ and Illawarra REZ.
EnergyCo’s leadership in REZ and PTIP projects is driving NSW’s energy transition by coordinating development across the State. EnergyCo collaborates closely with ICN NSW (Industry Capability Network) to maximise opportunities for local businesses on current projects such as the Central-West Orana REZ and future initiatives, like the Hunter Transmission Project (HTP). Through strategic partnerships and early engagement, both organisations are driving economic growth, empowering local communities and ensuring regional businesses are well-positioned to benefit.
Social and economic benefits
The impact of EnergyCo’s approach to the REZs, for example with the Central-West Orana REZ, extends far beyond renewable energy generation. By prioritising local business opportunities, participation and workforce diversity, the project aims to uplift communities, reduce unemployment and foster long-term economic resilience in the region.
“This is not just a construction project; it’s a transformative opportunity for the region,” says Alison van der Linden, Program Manager for Regional Development at EnergyCo.” From catering services and landscaping to specialised trades, the scope of work is vast on projects like CWO REZ, and we’re committed to ensuring local businesses are at the forefront.”
“Early engagement is key. Getting businesses thinking about what’s coming, how big it’s going to be and what the indirect opportunities might be, is essential,” said Alison.
| Economic and social impact of the Central-West Orana REZ
• Projected jobs created: Thousands during construction |
Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone
The Central-West Orana REZ represents a transformative initiative for New South Wales, offering a glimpse into the future of renewable energy infrastructure and regional economic growth. The Central-West Orana REZ, the first and most advanced of the REZs, spans 20,000 square kilometres and includes key towns such as Dubbo, Mudgee, Coolah and Dunedoo. This massive undertaking requires significant coordination, not only to build renewable energy infrastructure but also to engage local stakeholders meaningfully.
“Our focus is ensuring the benefits of these projects stay within regional NSW,” explains Alison van der Linden, EnergyCo’s Program Manager Regional Development. “We aim to optimise opportunities for local communities and businesses, ensuring economic and social benefits are realised on the ground.”
Alison continues, “This initiative shows how renewable energy projects can become catalysts for regional development. We’re not just delivering clean energy; we’re aiming to create lasting economic and social outcomes for communities across NSW.”
Delivering the transmission network
To facilitate the development of critical transmission infrastructure within the Central-West Orana REZ, EnergyCo has appointed ACEREZ to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the REZ transmission network that will connect renewable energy projects to NSW’s electricity grid. ACEREZ is a partnership of ACCIONA, COBRA and Endeavour Energy.
Sonja Malcolm, ACEREZ’s Workforce Industry and Training Manager, highlights the company’s focus on local employment, workforce diversity and supply chain inclusivity.
“We’re looking at ways to bring underrepresented groups such as Aboriginal communities, young people and women into the workforce,” Sonja says. “By investing in training and capacity building of local industry, we’re not just addressing immediate project needs but creating long-term opportunities for regional businesses and workers.”
Bridging the gap
Industry Capability Network (ICN) NSW has been instrumental in bridging the gap between the large-scale requirements of the Central-West Orana REZ and the capabilities of local businesses. Through its ICN Gateway platform, ICN connects suppliers with project opportunities, helping businesses create profiles, submit expressions of interest (EOIs) and improve their visibility.
David Norris, ICN Regional Manager for Central-West NSW, underscores the value of early and ongoing engagement. “Our role is to ensure regional businesses are aware of these opportunities and also equipped to participate. The more we can simplify the process and offer support, the greater the local impact.”
As of September 2024, nearly 299 EOIs had been submitted across 25 work packages, benefiting from the industry briefings held in July and August 2024. To date, the project has seen a total of 1,232 EOIs registered across 132 work packages, reflecting the strong engagement of regional businesses.
Engaging through industry forums
Engaging through industry forumsEnergyCo and ACEREZ, supported by ICN NSW, conducted a comprehensive program of industry briefings to raise awareness about the opportunities available within the Central-West Orana REZ. These sessions were held in key regional towns in 2024, including Wellington, Dubbo and Mudgee in July, and Coolah, Cassilis and Dunedoo in August.
| Key statistics for CWO REZ
• Number of briefings: 10 sessions across six towns |
These sessions were co-hosted with local organisations, such as Regional Development Australia, local business chambers and Aboriginal working groups. The sessions provided a platform for attendees to learn about procurement processes, upcoming work packages and broader opportunities within the REZ. The forums also included presentations by ICN NSW and subcontractors involved in the early works, such as camp construction and site preparation.
Building capability for regional businesses
Capability development is a cornerstone of this initiative. Recognising the challenges faced by small businesses—from navigating complex procurement processes to scaling their operations—EnergyCo, ACEREZ and ICN NSW have collaborated to provide tailored support. This includes:
- Simplified procurement documentation and pre-qualification requirements
- Feedback for unsuccessful tenderers to improve future bids, and
- Capability workshops to address skills gaps and enhance readiness for large-scale projects.
“The feedback we’ve received has been invaluable,” says Sonja Malcolm. “For instance, many businesses expressed a need for training in tender writing and understanding procurement systems. These insights will shape our upcoming programs.”
Future projects – Hunter Transmission Project (HTP)
The Hunter Transmission Project (HTP), another major initiative supported by ICN NSW, provides an excellent example of how ICN fosters local business engagement.
In August 2024, five industry briefings were held to provide an overview of the project and connect regional businesses with future project opportunities. These sessions, co-hosted with local business groups such as HunterNet, Dantia , Business Hunter and Business Singleton, attracted over 150 attendees across Singleton, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and one virtual online session.
Notably, since August 2024, a total of 177 EOIs have been registered across two work packages for the HTP, reflecting the strong engagement and interest generated through these forums.
“Engaging with local businesses is pivotal to our project ” says Katie Brassil a Strategic Adviser for EnergyCo’s Hunter Transmission Project. “Ensuring early and frequent engagement, alongside promoting local suppliers, is a cornerstone of our approach.”
Dusko Bajic, ICN NSW Regional Manager for the Hunter region, highlighted the impact of these efforts: “The Hunter briefings demonstrated the importance of making opportunities transparent and accessible. They significantly increased local awareness and capability, with some businesses attending multiple sessions to deepen their understanding.”
Katie also emphasised the importance of partnering with ICN and local organisations to achieve effective outreach. “Without the strong relationship and support of our regional industry organisations , we would not have been able to achieve the breadth and depth of attendance at these forums,” she says.
Dusko adds, “A big part of our role has been creating awareness and helping businesses navigate complex procurement processes. Early engagement is vital to ensure no opportunity is missed.”
| Key statistics from the Hunter Transmission Project
• Total EOIs submitted to date: 177 across two work packages |
The road ahead
The Central-West Orana REZ is just the beginning. With additional REZs planned in regions like New England and South West NSW, EnergyCo and ICN NSW aim to replicate and scale their collaborative model.
Alison Van Der Linden highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum. “As we move forward, we need to continue leveraging our relationship with ICN NSW and other regional organisations to ensure local businesses have the opportunity to maximise the benefits of these projects.”
Dusko Bajic adds, “The lessons we’ve learned here will guide how we support other REZs. It’s about making every step of the process accessible and beneficial for regional businesses.”
Next steps
The partnership between EnergyCo, ACEREZ and ICN NSW shows how collaboration can drive regional economic growth while advancing critical infrastructure projects. Through strategic planning, inclusive practices and a strong commitment to local engagement, these organisations are working together to deliver on renewable energy goals and creating a legacy of empowerment and opportunity for regional NSW.
For more information or to express interest in the opportunities available, visit the following project pages:
- Central-West Orana REZ: rez_centralwestorana.icn.org.au
- HTP: htp.icn.org.au
