NSW Government
NSW Climate and Energy Action

Network hosting capacity opportunities map

 

The NSW Government has published a network hosting capacity opportunities map on the Department of Customer Services’ NSW Spatial Collaboration Portal.

The map highlights where available capacity exists in the distribution network. Providing this information in one place makes it easier for proponents to identify connection opportunities for additional renewable energy generation and storage. 

Launch the map

The publication of this map delivers on part of the NSW Government's response to the Electricity Supply and Reliability Check Up (PDF, 4.3 MB). Increasing utilisation of existing electricity networks with new renewable generation connections provides another avenue to improve electricity reliability in NSW. 

How to use the map

View the how-to guide: using the network capacity opportunities map (PDF 900 kB).

Map data

The map data is updated annually by the distribution network businesses, based on their annual reporting requirements, and is forecast data until 2035. The map does not show live updates. 

To identify hosting capacity opportunities within each distribution network, the following network information was used:

  1. Primary: Hosting capacity for both load (demand) and generation at the transmission and sub-transmission level was calculated to the substation primary (upstream) level. Under this scenario, the load (demand) available to offset generation (supply) is assessed to calculate hosting capacity.
  2. Secondary: Hosting capacity for the distribution level was calculated to the zone substation secondary (downstream) level. Under this scenario:
    1. the load capacity was calculated as network substation infrastructure capacity, minus the existing maximum load, to give the estimated remaining available capacity.
    2. the generation capacity was calculated as network substation infrastructure capacity, plus the minimum load, to give the estimated remaining available capacity.
    3. forecast load and generation data (5 years ahead or consistent with public reporting) was also used to inform trends and potential thermal constraints.

For project developers

Renewable energy and storage developers can use the map to guide their enquiries about siting their projects on the distribution network. You can learn more about the connection process for each distribution business by visiting their websites: 

For general enquiries or further information about the data presented in this map, please contact:

Further information