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

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

March 4, 2024

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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 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 / 100 MWh	Hunter – Central Coast REZ / Toronto	DPHI
Orana	Akaysha Energy	BESS	400 MW / 1600 MWh	Central West Orana REZ / Wellington	DPHI

Source:  © New South Wales Government 2024

Image Source: © New South Wales Government 2024

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