SYNCLINE founder Phil Galloway says he has spent almost two years engaging with farmers on the route of his proposed underground transmission line project.
With more than half of the 60 landowners signing agreements, Mr Galloway said the approach showed a contrast with the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line project.
“The social license for overhead transmission has been irrevocably lost in rural Victoria whereas underground transmission and the Syncline Community Cable, are strongly supported,” he said.
Mr Galloway has told farmers his project would offer “Victoria downside protection against extreme weather events”.
“During extreme weather and bushfire events that affect overhead HV AC lines, SCC can remain operational and is able to balance power flows at speed and beyond system limit
“On February 13, 2024, a significant storm crossed Victoria, which caused significant damage to trees, buildings and the electricity network. Six high voltage transmission towers near Anakie (Geelong) collapsed, which caused 2,120 MW of generation to disconnect in Victoria (Loy Yang A and wind farms) and 900,000 customers to lose power (AEMO issued a direction for load shedding to keep the grid secure).
“Storm caused significant damage to Victoria’s distribution network, affecting 12,000km of distribution lines, and 1100 powerlines. Over one million customers lost power.
“Many essential services impacted throughout Victoria, including telecommunications, water treatment plants, health facilities, schools, supermarkets, dairies and food manufacturing facilities across the event.
“Victoria, a net electricity exporter, became a net electricity importer, with interconnectors reversing direction and providing power to the region,” according to Mr Galloway.