NSW Powers 1.5M Homes with Active Clean Energy Projects

NSW Gov

The NSW Labor Government is on track to deliver enough renewable energy to power more than 1.5 million NSW homes, following multiple NSW Government approvals of wind and solar projects in 2023.

Throughout 2023, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) finalised 18 renewable energy State Significant Development (SSD) assessments including three wind farms, six solar farms and nine large-scale batteries.

Of these, 13 were approved by the Department and five were referred to the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) for determination, four of which the Commission has now approved, and one is still in progress.

The recent approvals include the Yanco Delta wind farm in the state's Riverina region. At 1.5 gigawatts, it is set to be the biggest wind farm in Australia.

The approved projects will generate more than 3,000 jobs during construction and operation, providing a vital economic boost to regional communities.

The projects have the combined capacity to generate and store 7.6 gigawatts of renewable energy. This could save an estimated 8.3 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year and play an essential role in energy security.

A further 29 renewable energy projects are in the planning process. Another 70 new projects are about to be submitted for department approval.

The NSW Government recently completed the exhibition stage on the draft Energy Policy Framework, which includes new guidelines for wind energy development, transmission infrastructure, and benefit sharing, aiming to streamline approvals and provide clarity for both host communities and developers.

The guidelines will be finalised later this year.

For more information, visit NSW Planning.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:

"These approvals represent the NSW Government's commitment to accelerate the transition to renewables so households and businesses have reliable access to clean and affordable electricity.

"NSW is now about halfway towards our 2030 renewable generation target, and over a quarter of the way there on our long-duration storage target.

"Across government, we will continue to drive the decarbonisation of our energy grid, setting NSW up with clean, reliable energy in the future."

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

"The Government is prioritising the development of renewable energy projects.

"These projects help deliver clean and affordable energy to NSW residents while injecting millions of dollars into regional economies and creating hundreds of new jobs.

"We will continue to work closely with industry and impacted communities to strike the right balance between supporting renewable energy projects and responsible development."

Projects:

Project name Proponent Technology Capacity REZ / Location Determining authority
Bowmans Creek Ark Energy Wind 347 MW Hunter - Central Coast REZ / Muswellbrook IPC determined
Hills of Gold Wind Energy Partners Wind 282 MW New England REZ / Nundle IPC referred (not yet determined)
Yanco Delta Virya Energy Wind 1500 MW South-West REZ / Jerilderie DPHI
Marulan Terrain Solar Pty Ltd Solar 152 MW Carrick DPHI
Forest Glen X-Elio Australia Pty Ltd Solar 90 MW Central West Orana REZ / Minore DPHI
Blind Creek Blind Creek Solar Farm Pty Ltd Solar 350 MW Bungendore DPHI
Glenellen Trina Solar Solar 200 MW Albury IPC determined
Glanmire Elgin Energy Solar 60 MW Bathurst IPC determined
Oxley Oxley Solar Development Solar 215 MW New England REZ / Metz IPC determined
Waratah Energy Corporation Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) 850 MW / 1680 MWh Munmorah Minister
Apsley Acenergy BESS 120 MW/240 MWh Central West Orana REZ / Apsley DPHI
Muswellbrook Firm Power BESS 150 MW / 300 MWh Hunter- Central Coast REZ /Muswellbrook DPHI
Coleambally Risen Energy BESS 100 MW/ 400 MWh South West REZ / Coleambally DPHI
Great Western Neoen BESS 500 MW/ 1000 MWh Wallerawang DPHI
Beresfield Firm Power BESS 170 MW / 340 MWh Beresfield DPHI
Wellington South Shell & Empyr Energy JV BESS 500 MW / 1000 MWh Central West Orana REZ / Wellington DPHI
Awaba Firm Power BESS 50 MW / 100MWh Hunter- Central Coast REZ / Toronto DPHI
Orana Akaysha Energy BESS 400 MW / 1600 MWh Central West Orana REZ / Wellington DPHI
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