Hunter Central Coast REZ (NSW)

Helping find the perfect operational partner for a new energy project

The NSW Government has begun planning, development and commercial activities for the Hunter Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (HCC REZ).

The HCC REZ is unique compared to other renewable energy zones due to the significant existing electricity network infrastructure, managed by two incumbent network service providers, and the large population centres and townships that are located within the HCC REZ’s declared area.

The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) was appointed as the infrastructure planner to lead the strategic coordination and delivery of the Hunter Central Coast renewable energy zone (HCC REZ) in 2022. They are involved in the planning, design and optimisation of generation, storage and network infrastructure and oversight of the delivery of network infrastructure, including leading community and stakeholder engagement activities.

EnergyCo has been tasked with improving the capacity of network infrastructure in the HCC REZ to accommodate an additional 1 gigawatt from future renewable energy generation sources.

Our role

EnergyCo has engaged MBB to manage the generator engagement workstream as part of project development activities for the HCC REZ. The aim of this workstream is to provide EnergyCo with a formal communication channel to discuss matters relating to the design and development of the HCC REZ network infrastructure with organisations that are developing renewable projects within the HCC REZ. This process seeks to:

• Ensure the network is suitably designed to cater for future projects once they are connected to the network
• Avoid the potential for duplication of effort during delivery
• Facilitate a coordinated approach during the delivery of electrical assets to minimise community impacts.

Our services

MBB has been providing management and coordination services to support interactive engagements between EnergyCo and prospective project developers (Generator Design Partners or GDPs) who are developing and building renewable energy projects in the HCC REZ area. This has involved:

• Development of a generator engagement strategy tailored to the needs of the HCC REZ project
• Management of an expression of interest (EOI) process to seek out suitable GDPs, including development of EOI documentation, facilitation of briefings and supporting EnergyCo in communicating with applicants
• The selection of suitable GDPs to participate in interactive workshops and meetings to discuss project development matters
• The facilitation of interactive workshops with GDPs and network service providers and working with specialist renewable generation advisors
• EnergyCo with engagement with Consumer Trustee, AER and DNSPs/TNSPs on fulfillment of requirements for regulatory approval.

MBB were also engaged to support the commercial and financial management workstream, which was focussed on managing the procurement and commercial transaction processes to select a suitable network operator to develop, deliver and operate the HCC REZ network infrastructure.

As part of our advisory role, MBB has:

• Conducted a review and update to the commercial and procurement strategy for the project to add additional rigor in advance of INSW assurance
• Conducted a review of commercial, tender and evaluation process and documentation in preparation for a competitive non-contestable procurement of a network operator
• Designed an interactive tender process and plan and facilitated interactive workshops
• Provided coaching and guidance to the EnergyCo project team on participation in the interactive workshops, behaviours and approaches
• Managed the RFP transaction process, including issuing of addenda, coordinating responses to clarifications and administering the virtual data room (establishment, training and guidance and operation)
• Development of detailed RFP evaluation criteria and process planning

Detailed mapping of transaction governance and approvals pathways and negotiation process with preferred Proponent(s).