Syncline Energy has proposed the construction of a 250-kilometer underground direct current transmission line, linking Charlton in central Victoria to Melbourne.

Should the project receive approval, it could delay the need for the controversial Western Renewables Link (WRL) and the southern section of the Victorian-New South Wales Interconnector (VNI West).

The proposed line would primarily run beneath the median strip of the Calder Freeway and cross agricultural land between Bendigo and Charlton, ultimately connecting to the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub, a significant battery facility developed in part by Syncline.

Philip Galloway, managing director of Syncline Energy, articulated that the proposal presents a more feasible alternative to existing transmission plans, stating that the costs associated with WRL may burden electricity consumers in Victoria.

Galloway emphasized that there remains a need for connecting Victoria to New South Wales while suggesting that the southern segment of VNI West is less justifiable.

The existing overhead power transmission projects, including VNI West and WRL, have faced substantial opposition from local communities and farmers.

However, Galloway reported strong support for the current project from landowners, citing a respectful engagement process with the farming community.

Landowners along the proposed route have reportedly been receptive to hosting the underground cable, with Galloway noting that alternatives routes are explored if initial proposals are met with resistance.

Graham Nesbit, a farmer located near Wedderburn, conveyed his positive experience during consultations with Syncline representatives, highlighting the contrast to past interactions regarding other projects where transparency was lacking.

Details revealed that landowners could expect compensation of approximately $40,000 annually for each kilometer of transmission line traversing their land.

Galloway assured that no significant ecological or engineering concerns have been raised thus far about the project’s design and implementation.

Bruce Mountain, an energy policy expert from the Victoria Energy Policy Centre, advocated for serious consideration of the Syncline proposal, suggesting it might alleviate some of the social apprehensions associated with large overhead transmission lines.

He noted that the project employs direct current technology, which has a lower transmission loss compared to alternating current, aligning with global trends in energy infrastructure development.

In response to the proposal, a spokesperson for the Victorian government indicated that preliminary analyses have identified significant challenges, particularly concerning costs that could be transferred to consumers and construction access to the Calder Freeway.

The Victorian energy authority, VicGrid, stated that it would assess the project further in collaboration with Syncline.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), which is overseeing the VNI West project, remarked that the proposed underground transmission line currently does not affect plans for VNI West.

AusNet, the developer behind WRL, also indicated that the overarching transmission planning in Victoria remains under the jurisdiction of AEMO and VicGrid.