General News
23 March, 2025
Underground Energy company wins backing of farmers for Charlton-Melton route
By CHRIS EARL THE State Government has been given a $3.5 billion proposal to send renewable energy underground through Loddon farms and beside the Calder Highway. The 2000MW Syncline Community Cable plan from Jeffcott, near Charlton, to a large...
By CHRIS EARL
THE State Government has been given a $3.5 billion proposal to send renewable energy underground through Loddon farms and beside the Calder Highway.
The 2000MW Syncline Community Cable plan from Jeffcott, near Charlton, to a large storage battery at Melton has been two years in the planning.
More than 30 local farmers have already signed agreements with Syncline for the project.
“We’ve been constantly asking (the Government) why VNI West had to be overhead transmission lines ... 19th century transmission technology instead of 21st century,” said Glenalbyn’s Graham Nesbit, one of the landowners to sign a Syncline agreement
“Syncline has consulted first with landowners before going public, thedirect opposite to Australian EnergyMarket Operator with the VNI West project.”
Mr Nesbit and Kurting farmers Geoff and Brett Wilson say farming activities can be “worked around” under the visionary Syncline project if it received Government approval. “Maybe this proves that transmission lines can go underground,” said the Wilsons who are yet to sign an agreement.
Syncline’s Phil Galloway briefed Victorian Farmers’ Federation members on plans at a meeting in Wedderburn last Friday.
He says the cable was an opportunity for the government to rethink Western Renewable Link and halve VNI West.
Syncline Energy was started by Mr Galloway, a former global executive with BHP Rio Tinto and Esso, in 2005. He says Syncline has “ originated more than $5 billion of energy transition infrastructure assets, of which $1.7 billion is either under construction or in operation”.
Mr Galloway told the Loddon Herald this an investment bank had been approached to finance the project that would be a viable alternative to overhead power transmission.
Land access agreements would net annual royalty payments of $46,000/km once the cable is installed. There would be land acquisition compensation for the 30 metre-wide easement.
Mr Galloway wants work to start within two years. “There would be a five-year construction period.”
“The community is looking for viable alternatives to overhead transmission and I strongly believe we have one,” he said. The 243km route minimised impact on cultural and heritage areas.
“Extensive work (has been) undertaken to micro-site route that will avoid native vegetation, ensuring the project minimises its impact on its communities and is not required to prepare a full environmental effects statement.”
But the State Government has been quick to raise doubts. A spokesperson said: “Initial analysis of the Syncline proposal shows significant challenges, including costs, which would be passed onto consumers through their bills, and accessing the Calder Freeway for extended periods during construction. VicGrid will continue to assess the project with the proponent.”
According to the Government, the Victorian Transmission Plan will be released soon and include the transmission projects the state needs to deliver reliable and affordable electricity into the future.
“When assessing possible projects for inclusion, VicGrid is considering factors including costs to consumers, deliverability, network security, and environmental and community impacts.”