VNI West transmission project enters environmental approval phase

The VNI West high-voltage transmission project, intended to connect Victoria’s grid with New South Wales, has entered the environmental approval phase. VicGrid announced that the Environment Effects Statement (EES) will be open for public exhibition and submissions for six weeks, starting October 5.

The project faces significant opposition and logistical challenges. The Northern Grampians and Buloke Shire Councils have officially withdrawn from the VNI West Technical Reference Group (TRG). Council leaders expressed disappointment, describing the process as “tokenistic” and claiming they were forced to perform technical review work that should have been the responsibility of state agencies and the project proponent.

Controversy also surrounds the project’s scale and cost, which has risen from an initial $3.6 billion to an estimated $7.6 billion. The proposed 240 km line will intersect properties belonging to more than 200 farmers. While the Coalition opposition has pledged to scrap the project, proponents note that approximately 8.5 gigawatts of solar and wind projects are seeking connection via this corridor.