The Australian government has approved the HumeLink energy project, against the wishes of some locals. 

The $4.8 billion initiative will connect the Snowy 2.0 hydroelectric expansion to the national electricity grid via 365 kilometres of 500-kilovolt transmission lines. 

It promises to deliver an additional 2,200 megawatts of on-demand energy, and to enhance renewable energy integration in New South Wales.

While Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has hailed the project as a “milestone in transforming Australia into a renewable energy superpower”, it has been met with significant local resistance. 

Grassroots organisations and affected residents have expressed concerns over environmental degradation and aesthetic impacts. 

Critics also highlight the reliance on outdated overhead transmission technology instead of underground lines, which would mitigate visual and ecological damage.

The HumeLink project is part of the Albanese Government’s Rewiring the Nation program, aimed at modernising Australia’s energy infrastructure. 

It aligns with government efforts to phase out coal-fired power, 26.7 GW of which have been decommissioned without sufficient replacement under previous administrations.

The government says HumeLink will bring economic benefits, estimating the creation of 1,600 construction jobs and over 60 ongoing positions. 

However, opponents question whether these benefits justify the environmental cost, particularly in areas like the Snowy Valleys. 

Calls for adopting underground power lines, deemed more environmentally friendly, were dismissed by NSW government inquiries due to high costs. Opponents have urged the government to consider global trends where underground lines are increasingly standard for new renewable projects.

Despite adjustments to minimise land clearing and protect endangered species, such as alpine orchids, scepticism persists about the long-term ecological impacts. 

Community leaders are negotiating additional funds from Transgrid, the project's developer, to support infrastructure improvements in affected areas.

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