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Important Information for landowners anywhere near renewable projects.
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Voice for Walcha is preparing a submission to the New England REZ Generation and Storage Consultation Paper released by EnergyCo. Although this EnergyCo technical document is primarily directed at project developers, its outcomes will have significant effects on REZ communities and local landholders.
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Take note ...
This is a new proposal, changing the impacts on landowners located around renewable projects in the New England REZ.
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EnergyCo is considering two concurrent access schemes for developers. The first scheme (the access rights regime - ARR) applies to projects located within the geographical boundaries of the New England REZ, offering these projects reduced development risk by limiting competition and the risk of curtailment (forced partial shutdown at times of high production). The second scheme (the access control mechanism-ACM) seeks to restrict connection access rights to projects outside the REZ so that they do not negatively affect projects within the REZ.
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1. Encouraging overdevelopment within an arbitrary REZ boundary
The access schemes under consideration strongly incentivise developers to locate projects within the geographic REZ boundary, rather than seeking more suitable locations outside the REZ. This will result in over-development within the REZ with the exacerbation of the associated cumulative impacts. As we know, poor location of projects leads to poor social, environmental and financial outcomes.
2. Change to Compulsory Acquisition for neighbours of projects, under connection powerlines.
More importantly to landholders, EnergyCo has proposed to assume responsibility for the design and development of transmission lines from the renewable energy projects to REZ hubs— currently the responsibility of individual project developers. If implemented, this change would grant EnergyCo the authority to compulsorily acquire land for transmission easements for renewable projects. Landowners will no longer have the right to negotiate whether they host transmission lines for private projects. This is a risk for all landowners in the REZ, particularly those in the vicinity of the proposed hubs.
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We are happy to share our understanding of the paper, and our submission, (currently being finalised) with anyone wanting to compile their own submission. Please reach out to us if you want to talk about this [email protected]
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Deadlines for submission is this Friday, 12th September.
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