Transgrid has published the Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) for Increasing capacity for generation in the Wagga North area. Publication of this PADR represents the second step in the RIT-T process and follows the Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) published on 19 December 2024.
The Wagga North area has seen significant growth in renewable generation connections to the transmission network, as part of the wider energy market transition. Currently, approximately 409 MV of renewable generation is already in service in this area.
Lines 9R5,9R6 and 991 play a central role in transmitting the electricity from these renewable generators via Wagga North 132/66 kV and Wagga 330/132 kV substations. Our analysis shows that the load requirements on Lines 9R5 and 9R6 exceed their thermal rating under system normal network conditions if the current in-service renewable generators in the Wagga North area are dispatched to their maximum capacities. Lines 9R6 and 9R5 have consistently appeared as top 10 binding constraints in AEMO’s monthly constraint reports, with renewable generation being constrained to ensure reliable operation of the lines.
Transgrid has identified an opportunity to upgrade the 132 kV Lines 9R6 and 9R5 supplying Wagga North 132/66 kV substation to alleviate potential thermal constraints due to recent renewable generation developments in the Wagga North area. In all credible scenarios there is expected to be significant economic benefits to the National Electricity Market (NEM) to strengthen the transmission network to relieve this constraint and realise net market benefits by avoiding curtailment of low-cost renewable generation in the Wagga North area.
Transgrid published a PADR for increasing capacity for generation in the Wagga North area on 23 December 2025. In the PADR, Transgrid presented five credible network options that would meet the identified need from a technical, commercial, and project delivery perspective.
The PADR analysis has benefited from stakeholder consultation. These submissions have been summarised and responded to in this PADR. The submissions have played a key role in developing the PADR and Transgrid thanks all parties for their time and effort to-date.
Submissions approved for publication are available on Transgrid’s website.
In this PADR, Transgrid has identified Option 2 (Restring Lines 9R5 and 9R6 with a high-temperature low-sag conductor and upgrade busbar at 132/66 kV Wagga substation to aluminium tube design) as the preferred option to meet the identified need. The estimated capital cost of Option 2 is $19.1m (2024-25).
Transgrid welcomes written submissions on materials contained in this PADR. Submissions are due on 7 February 2026 and should be emailed to Transgrid’s Regulation team via [email protected]. In the subject field, please reference, ‘Wagga North Capacity Increase PADR’.
In accordance with the requirements of the Rules, a summary of the Project Assessment Draft Report is made available on the AEMO website. A copy of the PADR can be obtained from Transgrid’s website or by emailing [email protected].