Premier Mike Baird is promising to spend a billion dollars on giving NSW schools a facelift if voters support his controversial plan to partially privatise the state's electricity assets.

Mr Baird is taking his poles and wires plan to the March election and has pledged to spend the $20 billion it is estimated to raise on infrastructure.

As part of that plan, $1 billion will go towards building up to 1600 new or refurbished classrooms and learning spaces throughout NSW schools. The work is expected to span 10 years.

While not giving too much detail about the plan, the premier said it will be a “once in a generation” opportunity and will depend on winning a mandate for his plan to lease 49 per cent of the state’s electricity distribution network.

“Sixteen-hundred new or refurbished classrooms across NSW is unprecedented in the scope and the vision,” he told reporters in Sydney on Thursday.

“We are determined to deliver it, and if we’re given the opportunity in March to continue governing, that’s exactly what you’ll get.”

He made the announcement in Parramatta, in Sydney’s west, where the government is promising to spend $100 million upgrading a high school and primary school as part of the plan.

By Ehssan Veiszadeh