Hunter-Central Coast REZ construction begins near Kurri Kurri with 590 jobs flagged

newy.com.au – Construction has begun on the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) network infrastructure project near Kurri Kurri, with NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe visiting the site on Friday 27 February 2026 to mark the start of works.

The NSW Government said the project was part of the state’s renewable energy transition as ageing coal-fired power stations retire, and would generate enough energy to power more than all homes in the Hunter once new generation and storage is connected.

The network infrastructure build is designed to connect an additional 1.8 gigawatts of new renewable generation and storage projects and create 590 jobs during construction, with 220 ongoing jobs once operational.

Works include upgrades to about 85 km of sub-transmission lines, installation of 18 km of underground fibre optic communications cable and upgrades to existing substations including the one at Kurri Kurri.

Two new energy hubs will be built in Muswellbrook local government area at Sandy Creek and Antiene as part of the program.

The Hunter-Central Coast Network Infrastructure Project is the first REZ project in NSW to upgrade existing distribution poles and wires instead of building all new transmission lines.

Sharpe said the works were “another step forward in securing clean, affordable and reliable energy for households and businesses”, adding: “This project will unlock hundreds of local jobs and boost the economy in the Hunter region.”

Cessnock MP Clayton Barr said he wanted locals to take up opportunities in the project, describing it as “an exciting time in upgrading our electricity system network”, and adding: “We are getting on with the job of bringing our future electricity supply to the homes and businesses that are our community.”

EnergyCo chief executive Hannah McCaughey said the start of construction was “a major milestone for energy security in NSW” and that “90% of the ongoing jobs are expected to be filled by locals”, while Ausgrid board chair Dr Helen Nugent AC said the project would show how distribution networks could contribute to the energy transition.

EnergyCo and Ausgrid said they would work with communities, industry and councils as the REZ rolls out, with local businesses encouraged to register interest through an online directory of contracting opportunities across REZ regions.