Premier Mike Baird's plan to lease the state's electricity poles and wires has passed in the Upper House.
Liberal MPs cheered after the bill was passed, while one MP yelled "bugger" as Labor, Greens and the Shooter and Fishers parties voted against it on Wednesday night.
"I am delighted ... This ends decades of policy dithering," Mr Baird said following the win.
"But while this is a pleasing moment, the real work begins now.
"We relish the challenge."
Mr Baird had won the backing of Rev Fred Nile, who voted `yes' after making amendments to the bill.
Mr Nile chaired a parliamentary inquiry into the merits of the plan to hand over 49 per cent of the state's electricity network to private leaseholders for 99 years.
He said the committee had found the NSW government's flagship plan would not lead to higher power bills for consumers and was in the state's best interests.
But he called for stronger protections for electricity workers, and questioned government claims that a $300 billion economic uplift would flow from the plan.
The bill passed 19-17.
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