The Minns Labor Government is taking steps to strengthen fuel security, with the Investment Delivery Authority (IDA) to run a targeted Expression of Interest (EOI) round calling for major projects that safeguard the State against future global fuel supply shocks.
Ongoing instability in the Middle East has highlighted the risks of heavy reliance on imported fuels and long, exposed supply chains. This reinforces the need for NSW to build stronger domestic fuel capability.
The targeted IDA round will focus on commercial-scale projects valued at $100 million or more that would directly improve fuel security, including:
- fuel storage and distribution infrastructure
- domestic, import‑independent liquid fuel production, focused on renewable fuels and their feedstocks such as sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel, biodiesel, biomethane and green ammonia
- heavy electric vehicle charging hubs and fleets, to reduce reliance on diesel over time.
The IDA will use its existing operating model to help remove delivery barriers, coordinate engagement across government and support endorsed projects to progress more quickly.
Alongside the EOI round, the NSW Government will run a Market Sounding process to help understand what's needed to unlock future investment related to fuel security.
This will provide an option for proponents whose projects do not yet meet IDA EOI criteria, such as those at an earlier stage of development, to still put forward information about potential projects as part of the fuel security round.
Ultimately, this is about protecting households, businesses and essential services from future fuel disruptions, supporting regional jobs, and making NSW better prepared for global shocks beyond our control.
To further improve fuel security, the Minns Labor Government will also expand the Renewable Fuel Scheme to include low-carbon and renewable liquid fuels.
The Scheme already provides financial incentives for green hydrogen and will shortly be expanded to include biomethane. The NSW Government will add renewable liquid fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel and biodiesel.
In addition to boosting fuel security, these renewable liquids can help cut emissions in harder-to-electrify industries such as aviation, freight and heavy transport, while driving economic growth and job opportunities.
The NSW Government will consult industry on the changes, which are designed to give investors confidence and unlock private and Commonwealth co-investment.
The fuel security round of the IDA and the Market Sounding process will open on 1 June, 2026 and industry will have three weeks to submit their projects.
For more information on the IDA visit www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/investment-nsw/investment-delivery-authority.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
"Strengthening fuel security isn't just an energy issue, it's a cost‑of‑living issue for households and businesses across the state.
"This is about making sure NSW is better prepared, better protected and better positioned to deal with global shocks, while keeping our economy and essential services moving.
"We also recognise that not every good idea is ready to go on day one, which is why we're running a market sounding process alongside the EOI round."
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"The impact of the recent fuel supply challenges has been felt across a vast array of industries, hitting the back pockets of everyone in NSW.
"There is great port and industrial land capacity in NSW that could be harnessed to support our long-term fuel security while helping reduce transport emissions at the same time.
"This new targeted round of the Investment Delivery Authority will make sure NSW attracts the right investments to create a more resilient fuel future."
Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:
"The Minns Labor Government has the right plan to shore up fuel supply, availability and price transparency for motorists in every corner of NSW.
"The Investment Delivery Authority is designed to help major, strategically important projects cut through complexity and get moving faster.
"This targeted fuel security round is about identifying serious, large‑scale projects that can make a real difference to how resilient our fuel supply is in NSW.
"By running a focused Expression of Interest round, we're sending a clear signal to industry that NSW is ready to work with proponents who are prepared to invest and deliver."
