Five new Genus apprentices have begun work on the Hunter Coast REZ

Five electrical apprentices began work on the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Network Infrastructure Project in February, marking the start of new careers supporting NSW’s transition to renewable energy.

While earning nationally recognised trade qualifications, the Hunter-based apprentices will support work to upgrade poles and wires along the Hunter-Central Coast distribution corridor.

This is the first project of its kind in Australia, with a focus primarily on upgrading existing distribution poles and wires to reduce impacts on the local community and environment.

The distribution corridor will deliver an additional one gigawatt of transfer capacity in the Hunter-Central Coast REZ and is expected to connect approximately 1.8 gigawatts of new renewable generation and storage.

Lincoln Spooner, 18, of Wallsend, is a recent school leaver who previously worked at Coles for two and a half years before signing on to an electrical apprenticeship.

“When I saw the job ad, I thought it sounded pretty good,” Mr Spooner said, “I’m going to be learning new skills, there’s a vast variety of skills you can learn as an electrician. There’s lots of options.”

Isaac Byrne, 24, of Newcastle, will also begin his electrical apprenticeship on the project. Mr Byrne completed a Bachelor of Finance and Accounting at the University of Newcastle. After graduating, he worked at the Australian Taxation Office before deciding to pursue a hands-on career in the energy sector.

“After a couple of years working indoors, I realised I wanted to be outside,” Mr Byrne said. “I thought, I’ll give it a shot.”

The Hunter-Central Coast REZ Network Infrastructure Project will see 90% of ongoing jobs filled by local people, once construction is complete in 2028. During the current design and construction phase, 40% of the workforce will be local.

The Hunter-Central Coast REZ stretches from the Upper Hunter in the north to the Central Coast in the south and includes the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens regions. The network infrastructure project is being designed, built, financed and operated by Ausgrid.

The project will also create additional demand for workers in local manufacturing, retail, transport and the supply of goods and services. It is expected to generate up to $3.9 billion in private investment.

The project includes:

·      upgrading approximately 85 km of sub-transmission lines

·      constructing 18 km of new underground fibre optic in the Upper Hunter

·      building two new energy hubs (substations)

·      augmenting existing substations

The project is part of the NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap which aims to power NSW with affordable, clean and reliable energy for everyone.