Global Transmission Boom: Australia’s Race to Rewire
Summary
A global construction boom is underway to rewire electricity grids for a decarbonized future. Australia is part of this push, planning 10,000km of new lines to connect renewable energy, but faces rising costs, delays, and social license challenges. This raises questions about the viability of large-scale transmission versus alternatives like batteries and rooftop solar.
Key Points
- Global Scale: 1.5 million km of transmission built in the last decade; IEA estimates 80 million km needed by 2040.
- Australian Challenge: New lines needed for renewables, but costs are climbing (e.g., HumeLink from $1.3B to $4.9B), and community engagement is critical.
- Who Pays: Costs are passed to consumers via electricity bills, raising fairness concerns and risking social license for the transition.
- Alternative Solutions: Rising transmission costs make batteries and building renewables closer to demand centers more attractive.
- Household Role: Rooftop solar (20 GW capacity) and behind-the-meter technologies are growing rapidly, offering potential benefits if integrated effectively.
- Urgency: Coal plant closures loom (next in 2028), requiring a fast and smart build-out to meet decarbonization goals.
全球输电建设热潮：澳大利亚的重新布线竞赛
总结
一场全球性的建设热潮正在进行中，旨在为脱碳未来重新布线电网。澳大利亚也参与其中，计划建设1万公里的新线路以连接可再生能源，但面临成本上升、工期延误和社会许可挑战。这引发了对大规模输电与电池、屋顶太阳能等替代方案可行性的质疑。
关键点
- 全球规模：过去十年建成150万公里输电线路；国际能源署估计到2040年需要8000万公里。
- 澳大利亚的挑战：需要新线路连接可再生能源，但成本攀升（例如HumeLink从13亿澳元增至49亿澳元），且社区参与至关重要。
- 谁来支付：成本通过电费转嫁给消费者，引发公平性担忧，并危及能源转型的社会许可。
- 替代解决方案：输电成本上升使得电池以及在靠近负荷中心建设可再生能源更具吸引力。
- 家庭用户的作用：屋顶太阳能（装机容量达20吉瓦）和”电表后”技术快速增长，如果有效整合，潜力巨大。
- 紧迫性：煤电厂即将关闭（下一座在2028年），需要快速且智能地建设以实现脱碳目标。
Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-21/transmission-line-projects-faces-massive-challenges/106029214