Working with communities, industry and First Nations peoples, NSW is leading a once-in-a-generation upgrade of our electricity network. Our plan, the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap (Roadmap), supports the delivery of a network built on a mix of renewable technologies, including solar and wind, large-scale energy storage, like pumped hydro and big batteries, and new transmission infrastructure. To facilitate network investment on the scale required, the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020 (EII Act) provides for the contestable delivery of key network infrastructure projects. This means new network operators can construct and operate infrastructure such as the transmission network for the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone which will connect to the existing grid. 

About the Network-to-Network Connection Guidelines

The Network-to-Network Connection Guidelines (Guidelines) are issued by the Minister for Energy under section 192C of the Electricity Supply Act 1995. 

The Guidelines implement recommendations from the NSW Transmission Planning Review final report and have been developed with input from stakeholders. They aim to provide greater clarity and certainty in the planning, negotiation and delivery of network-to-network connections required for specified EII Act projects.

Supported by licence conditions imposed under the Electricity Supply Act 1995, the Guidelines establish a framework that operates alongside and complements the National Electricity Rules, supported by targeted derogations where required.

The Guidelines provide a framework for:

  • issuing a notification that activates the application of the Guidelines for a particular EII Act project
  • establishing a working group to oversee each Network-to-Network Connection Project
  • collaboratively developing a project-specific schedule that sets out timeframes for project planning, negotiation and delivery
  • developing a detailed work program to support delivery of project milestones
  • implementing the work program and achieving agreed milestones
  • negotiating contractual arrangements on fair terms 
  • proactively managing disputes, compliance issues and project risks.

Once finalised, each project-specific schedule is issued by the Minister and becomes binding on the relevant parties. This will help ensure that key projects are delivered on time, helping to maintain energy reliability and affordability as coal fired generators retire.

Consultation outcomes

Public consultation on the Draft Network-to-Network Connection Guidelines ran from Tuesday 17 March to Tuesday 14 April 2026.  

Feedback received from network operators and other stakeholders helped inform the final Guidelines. Stakeholder feedback supported the development of a clearer and more streamlined process for planning, negotiating and delivering network-to-network connections required for EII Act projects.

To support the Guidelines, the Department is currently preparing amendments to the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Regulation 2021 and targeted derogations from the National Electricity Rules. These are expected to be finalised and will be published on this page by the end of Q3 2026.

Key document

Learn more about the NSW electricity transition

Find out how the NSW Government is bringing more affordable, clean and reliable energy, new jobs and apprenticeships, and new economic opportunities to communities across the state.