As the first contestable transmission project for NSW, the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone is a pathfinder project in the Energy Transition.
From 2021, Ed was the Bid Director for the tender period and he continues as lead Financial Adviser to the ACEREZ consortium which was appointed the Preferred Proponent in 2023.
Description: The project was bid in 2021/22, with ACEREZ being appointed as the Preferred Proponent in 2023. The consortium entered into a Commitment Deed with NSW EnergyCo in December 2023, The Project’s Environmental Impact Statement was approved in June 2024. In partnership with Capella Capital, FERN continues to support ACEREZ to achieve financial close.
The Project requires integration into the broader NSW Transmission Network (Transgrid) and with the incoming renewable energy generators. There are a range of firsts from this project including the creation of the first Transition Network Service Provider in the National Electricity Market since 1998, a hybrid PPP/Regulatory model and the development of the first Renewable Energy Zone with a network serving solely variable renewable energy with battery energy storage systems.
State Client: NSW EnergyCo
Scale: 4.5GW / >$5bn
Consortium: Acciona, Endeavour Energy and Cobra advised by Capella Capital and FERN
Commercial Arrangements: Hybrid PPP/Regulatory Model
