And what is Aust doing, page-21

''He wants to use the existing sites to avoid new transmission costs.''

conveniently overlooking that the lines need renewing anyway

there's no saving in the transmission lines at all


the old Duddo is either trying to pull a swifty or is just plain ignorant - perhaps both

his gullible supporters though - won't question his 'wisdom' - pfffffffff

which part of this is difficult to comprehend? Many transmission lines are reaching the end of their service life, particularly those originally designed to support coal-fired power generation




The Australian power transmission network is facing significant challenges, with many existing lines needing replacement or upgrade. Here are the key points regarding the current state of transmission lines in Australia:
## Need for Replacement and Upgrades
- **Aging Infrastructure**: Many transmission lines are reaching the end of their service life, particularly those originally designed to support coal-fired power generation. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has indicated that a significant portion of these lines is overdue for replacement as the energy landscape shifts towards renewable sources[1][2].

- **Capacity Issues**: Current transmission lines are increasingly operating at their capacity limits, leading to congestion and inefficiencies in delivering electricity from renewable sources located in remote areas to urban demand centers. AEMO CEO Daniel Westerman highlighted that existing infrastructure is often gridlocked, necessitating substantial upgrades[1][2].
## New Transmission Lines Needed
- **10,000 km Requirement**: AEMO has identified a need for approximately **10,000 kilometers of new transmission lines** to effectively connect renewable energy projects and alleviate congestion on existing networks. This expansion is crucial for integrating wind and solar energy into the grid and ensuring reliable electricity supply[1][5][6].
- **Government Initiatives**: The Australian government has initiated programs such as the **Rewiring the Nation Fund**, which aims to finance these critical transmission projects. However, the planning and construction of these projects face delays due to community opposition, supply chain issues, and a shortage of skilled labor[2][3][5].
## Conclusion
In summary, many existing transmission lines in Australia are overdue for replacement due to aging infrastructure and capacity constraints. The transition to renewable energy necessitates the construction of extensive new transmission lines to ensure a reliable and efficient electricity supply. The government is actively pursuing initiatives to address these challenges, but significant hurdles remain in terms of project execution and resource availability.
Citations:
[1] https://www.energymagazine.com.au/aemo-energy-transition-needs-10000km-of-new-transmission/
[2] https://theconversation.com/austral...r-grid-of-the-future-so-where-are-they-237858
[3] https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/plib...e-help-power-18-million-new-south-wales-homes
[4] https://aemo.com.au/-/media/files/m...023-transmission-expansion-options-report.pdf
[5] https://www.ey.com/en_au/insights/sustainability/how-australia-can-fast-track-energy-transmission
[6] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07...ace-by-batteries-virtual-powerlines/102584104
[7] https://www.theguardian.com/austral...w-power-lines-for-transmission-risks-concerns