The Minns Labor Government will today introduce a new law to speed up the delivery of key renewable energy projects, to power large energy users as coal-fired power stations exit the system.
The proposed legislation will allow the NSW Energy Minister to identify the highest-priority renewable energy projects in the planning pipeline, and prioritise them for streamlining.
It will result in more streamlined approvals for generation, storage and network projects that will power homes, industry and economic growth.
The proposed law will not remove any environmental or community assessment requirements. Developers will still need to meet all relevant planning, environmental and consultation obligations.
Priority energy projects must demonstrate best practice in how they work with landholders and communities, particularly in regional NSW.
The NSW energy grid is undergoing its biggest transformation in decades, with the Minns Labor Government supporting new energy infrastructure to replace our retiring power stations, support the ongoing operation of heavy industry and power new economic growth across the state.
Renewable energy already provides about 36 per cent of NSW's annual electricity supply. In a first for NSW, there were multiple periods in summer when renewable energy accounted for more than 80 per cent of the electricity supply mix, contributing to keeping lights and air conditioners running.
The proposed law is designed to build on this progress, by accelerating the infrastructure needed to generate, store and move clean energy across the state.
The Energy Legislation Amendment (Prioritising Renewable Energy) Bill 2026 will also support the effective and consistent implementation of the NSW Benefit-Sharing Guideline, ensuring councils and communities hosting projects receive associated benefits.
More than $180 million in benefits have been committed to communities since the guideline's introduction in November 2024. This is in addition to the Renewable Energy Zone community and employment benefit funds coordinated by EnergyCo.
Further reforms are also in development to improve the way projects are referred to the Independent Planning Commission for determination, to ensure NSW residents continue to have a strong voice while avoiding unnecessary delays to energy projects that are critical to NSW.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe said:
"The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring reliable, affordable energy for our heavy industries like the Tomago aluminium smelter, and to power economic growth across the state.
"This new legislation will mean infrastructure projects that are critical for manufacturing jobs, economic growth and energy affordability don't get stuck in the queue.
"No matter where you live in this state, you will benefit from us getting on with the job and delivering quality renewable projects as fast as we can."
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:
"With a growing pipeline of energy projects ahead of us, we need a planning system that can support achieving our ambitious energy targets.
"Since 2023, we've already reduced assessment times for renewable energy projects by almost 20 per cent while delivering 50 per cent more approvals.
"These reforms build on that success by enshrining the community benefit scheme and streamlining prioritised projects in the planning system with the most potential to power our state's future, making sure the right projects are delivered at the right time in the right places in line with our energy goals.
"These reforms will also make sure critical projects are not being delayed by objections from people thousands of kilometres away who will never be impacted by them - NSW locals should and will have the loudest voice."
