Lockhart Hardware & Hire, Pumps, Pipes & Power (Coleambally) has helped supply the EnergyConnect project that aims to increase renewable energy sharing between NSW, Victorian and South Australia.

Lockhart Mayor Peter Sharp said local businesses in town greatly benefited from increased patronage from workers staying at the nearby EnergyConnect accommodation camp including the Lockhart Ex-Servicemen's Club which has been able to reinvest in improved facilities for members.

“We’re pretty happy to help the companies and the state and the nation move forward into an energy transition,” Cr Sharp said.

“If we can play a small part and get some benefit out of it which we have then we are more than happy to do that.”

The building of Australia’s largest transmission project has provided a major economic boost to regional NSW as a whole, with a ‘buy local’ approach providing hundreds of millions of dollars in supply contracts to local businesses.

EnergyConnect provide access to lower-cost wholesale energy, and improves reliability and security of supply for households and businesses before NSW’s coal-fired power stations retire.

Transgrid and its delivery partner Elecnor Australia have invested $300.6 million in supply contracts with 351 local and First Nations businesses across the 700km alignment between the South Australian border and Wagga Wagga.

“EnergyConnect has adopted a buy local approach, resulting in us procuring a wide range of goods and services from local businesses in the Riverina, Murray and Sunraysia regions,” Transgrid’s executive general manager of major projects Gordon Taylor said.

“We are proud to work alongside these local businesses, many of which are family owned and operated, to deliver this nation-critical project, helping them grow and keeping the money in local communities.

“This much-needed economic benefit to regional NSW will ensure EnergyConnect leaves a lasting legacy in communities across the Riverina, Murray and Sunraysia regions.”

Elecnor Australia’s EnergyConnect Project Director Felipe Delgado said supporting regional businesses, creating jobs and building local capability have been a key priority throughout the project.

“Elecnor has worked closely with local suppliers, supporting regional businesses to employ local people and reinvest in their communities,” Mr Delgado said.

“We thank all the businesses and suppliers who partnered with us to deliver this iconic project.”

EnergyConnect has also provided a range of other social and economic benefits including education and training opportunities, skills development, and community grants and partnerships.

The project has moved into a detailed commissioning and testing phase.