Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, and Essential Energy have launched the inaugural New South Wales Distribution System Plan (DSP), taking unified approach to optimise existing network infrastructure to meet future energy needs.
The DSP represents the first time the three New South Wales electricity distribution businesses have come together to develop a single, unified view of how to fully leverage and optimise the state’s existing distribution network to meet future energy needs.
Independent modelling shows New South Wales could unlock between $2 billion to $4.3 billion in value by utilising available network capacity and integrating Consumer Energy Resources (CER) like rooftop solar, batteries, and electric vehicles.
Ausgrid Group Executive, External Affairs & Strategy, Tim Jarratt, said the plan also provides a two-to-five-year buffer to the energy transition timeline, ensuring a smoother, more orderly, and resilient shift.
“The DSP is an Australia-first roadmap that finally shines a light on the ‘missing middle’ – our distribution networks,” he said.
“It proves that by using our existing assets smarter, we can deliver billions of dollars in value, significantly de-risk the transition, and buy up to five years of breathing room while critical transmission infrastructure is built.”
Endeavour Energy General Manager, Future Grid & Asset Management, Colin Crisafulli, said optimising the grid would maximise the value of consumer resources like solar, batteries, and electric vehicles.
“We’re not just waiting for major transmission to be built, we’re actively transforming today’s network into a dynamic, flexible platform that coordinates consumer energy resources in real time,” he said.
“This reduces system pressure, accelerates clean energy integration, and lowers costs for all customers.”
Mr Crisafulli said modelling showed that pushing storage deeper into the distribution network and finding customer centric ways of coordinating consumer energy resources can defer expensive network upgrades by as much as 15 years.
“A proactive, network-led approach could also fast-track EV adoption by half a million vehicles in New South Wales, a huge leap forward for faster transport decarbonisation,” he said.
By unlocking wind capacity and building more generation closer to demand, the DSP also shows the state can reduce its reliance on interconnection with other states.
Essential Energy Chief of Customer and Corporate Affairs, Annie Pearson, said the report also highlights broader areas of reform that need to be addressed to ensure benefits and costs are shared fairly across New South Wales communities.
“It is vital that we put our communities first, supporting them in their choice around energy resources, while providing everyone with the opportunity to participate in and benefit from a cleaner, fairer energy system,” she said.
“This means accelerating reforms regarding the cost allocation of the transition, the role of shared infrastructure, like community batteries, and how to coordinate new industries, like data centres.”
