Approval of 18 renewable energy projects to power 1.5 million NSW homes

New South Wales

NSW, renewables, solar farm, sustainability, wind farm,

676 views

Following multiple approvals of wind and solar projects in 2023, the NSW Government is on track to deliver enough renewable energy to power over 1.5 million homes in NSW.

The NSW 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.

“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,” says Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe.

“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” says Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe.

“Across government, we will continue to drive the decarbonisation of our energy grid, setting NSW up with clean, reliable energy in the future,” says Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe.

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.

“The Government is prioritising the development of renewable energy projects,” says Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully.

“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,” says Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully.

“We will continue to work closely with industry and impacted communities to strike the right balance between supporting renewable energy projects and responsible development,” says Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully.

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 in late 2024.

Click here for more information about the proposed new energy policy framework.

Project nameProponentTechnologyCapacityREZ / LocationDetermining authority
Bowmans CreekArk EnergyWind347 MWHunter – Central Coast REZ / MuswellbrookIPC determined
Hills of GoldWind Energy PartnersWind282 MWNew England REZ / NundleIPC referred (not yet determined)
Yanco DeltaVirya EnergyWind1500 MWSouth-West REZ / JerilderieDPHI
MarulanTerrain Solar Pty LtdSolar152 MWCarrickDPHI
Forest GlenX-Elio Australia Pty LtdSolar90 MWCentral West Orana REZ / MinoreDPHI
Blind CreekBlind Creek Solar Farm Pty LtdSolar350 MWBungendoreDPHI
GlenellenTrina SolarSolar200 MWAlburyIPC determined
GlanmireElgin EnergySolar60 MWBathurstIPC determined
OxleyOxley Solar DevelopmentSolar215 MWNew England REZ / MetzIPC determined
WaratahEnergy CorporationBattery Energy Storage System (BESS)850 MW / 1680 MWhMunmorahMinister
ApsleyAcenergyBESS120 MW /240 MWhCentral West Orana REZ / ApsleyDPHI
MuswellbrookFirm PowerBESS150 MW / 300 MWhHunter – Central Coast REZ/MuswellbrookDPHI
ColeamballyRisen EnergyBESS100 MW / 400 MWhSouth West REZ / ColeamballyDPHI
Great WesternNeoenBESS500 MW / 1000 MWhWallerawangDPHI
BeresfieldFirm PowerBESS170 MW / 340 MWhBeresfieldDPHI
Wellington SouthShell & Empyr Energy JVBESS500 MW / 1000 MWhCentral West Orana REZ / WellingtonDPHI
AwabaFirm PowerBESS50 MW / 100 MWhHunter – Central Coast REZ / TorontoDPHI
OranaAkaysha EnergyBESS400 MW / 1600 MWhCentral West Orana REZ / WellingtonDPHI

Source:  © New South Wales Government 2024

Image Source: © New South Wales Government 2024

Holcim

Holcim Australia Unveils New Brand Identity

92 views

Holcim Australia, a leader in innovative building materials, has announced its new brand identity which reflects its commitment to sustainability.

^ Back to top