Groundbreaking access rights agreements from the New South Wales Government will see ten renewable energy projects connect to the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
The State Government said that awarding access rights to these renewable energy companies paves the way for wind and solar farms and large-scale batteries to connect to the incoming transmission line in the REZ.
The projects have a total of 7.15GW of renewable energy and storage capacity, capable of powering 2.7 million homes by 2031 in peak periods, which the New South Wales Government said will help avoid 10.29Mt carbon emissions per year.
New South Wales Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe, said that these deals will secure billions of dollars of private investment in renewable energy
“By unlocking new renewable capacity and enhancing battery storage, we are making our power grid more reliable and putting downward pressure on bills,” she said.
Renewable energy generators and projects that have been successful in securing rights to connect to the Central-West Orana REZ are:
- Valley of the Winds wind farm – ACEN (919MW)
- Birriwa Solar – ACEN (600MW)
- Birriwa Battery Energy Storage System – ACEN (600MW)
- Sandy Creek Solar – Lightsource bp (700MW)
- Sandy Creek Battery Energy Storage System – Lightsource bp (700MW)
- Cobbora Solar – Pacific Partnerships (700MW)
- Cobbora Battery Energy Storage System – Pacific Partnerships (400MW)
- Tallawang Solar Hybrid – Potentia Energy (500MW)
- Spicers Creek Wind Farm – Squadron Energy (700MW)
- Liverpool Range Wind Farm (stages 1 and 2) – Tilt Renewables (1332MW)
EnergyCo CEO, Hannah McCaughey, said that this is a landmark initiative that puts New South Wales on the map as a leader in renewable energy innovation.
“Granting access rights to these renewable energy projects will almost double the state’s current operating large-scale wind and solar generation,” Ms McCaughey, said.
“In addition to private investment, the Central-West Orana REZ will fund community initiatives and generate thousands of jobs. It will also help keep the lights on and secure our energy future.”
The ten projects are expected to bring more than 3200 jobs to the region during construction and 870 ongoing operations and maintenance roles, over the average 30-year agreement.
The State Government said that the projects will bring significant investment to the region, including hundreds of millions in community benefits through access fee payments over 30 years. The New South Government also announced an initial $60 million in grants, which aim to deliver infrastructure and community-led projects with lasting benefits for residents in the REZ.
When fully operational, the renewable energy projects in this REZ alone are expected to generate 15,000GWh of energy per year.
Liverpool Range Wind Farm, Birriwa Solar and Battery Energy Storage System and Spicers Creek Wind Farm have secured planning approvals and are moving through the next phases of development. The remaining projects are subject to planning approval processes, including ongoing community consultation.
When combined with the previously announced wind, solar and battery projects that will connect to new power lines in the South West REZ, more than 10GW of renewable energy and storage is being added to the New South Wales grid, enough to power more than 4.3 million homes.
Multibillion-dollar renewables investment by private sector to power 2.7 million NSW homes
Smart Energy Council Chief Executive, John Grimes, said that voters have just overwhelmingly backed Australia’s clean energy shift, and these projects show just how quickly we’re flicking the switch.
“These solar, wind and storage projects alone represent the equivalent of almost three Eraring power stations.
“This announcement further proves that Australia is on track to reach its clean energy targets, and is able to switch off unreliable, expensive and polluting coal.
“Not only will these new wind, solar and storage projects cut millions of tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere, they’ll power millions of New South Wales homes with reliable renewable energy and generate thousands of jobs in regional communities.”
