Ten renewable energy projects have been given the green light to connect to the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), through agreements that will deliver enough power to supply more than half of NSW homes, the NSW Government announced today.
The Government has awarded ‘access rights’ to the renewable energy companies, which pave the way for wind and solar farms and large-scale batteries to connect to the incoming transmission line in the REZ.
It says the projects have a total of 7.15 gigawatts of renewable energy and storage capacity, capable of powering 2.7 million homes by 2031 in peak periods. They will avoid 10.29 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
“These deals will secure billions of dollars of private investment in renewable energy and deliver enough electricity to power 2.7 million NSW homes a year,” said Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe.
“By unlocking new renewable capacity and enhancing battery storage, we are making our power grid more reliable and putting downward pressure on bills.”
Renewable energy generators and projects which have secured rights to connect to the Central-West Orana REZ are:
- Valley of the Winds (wind farm) – ACEN (919 megawatts)
- Birriwa Solar (solar facility) – ACEN (600 megawatts)
- Birriwa Battery Energy Storage System (battery storage) – ACEN (600 megawatts)
- Sandy Creek Solar (solar facility) – Lightsource bp (700 megawatts)
- Sandy Creek Battery Energy Storage System (battery) – Lightsource bp (700 megawatts)
- Cobbora Solar (solar facility) – Pacific Partnerships (700 megawatts)
- Cobbora Battery Energy Storage System (battery) – Pacific Partnerships (400 megawatts)
- Tallawang Solar Hybrid (solar and battery facility) – Potentia Energy (500 megawatts)
- Spicers Creek Wind Farm (wind farm) – Squadron Energy (700 megawatts)
- Liverpool Range Wind Farm (stages 1 and 2) (wind farm) – Tilt Renewables (1,332 megawatts)
The 10 projects are expected to bring more than 3,200 jobs to the region during construction and 870 ongoing operations and maintenance roles, over the average 30-year agreement.
“This is a landmark initiative that puts NSW on the map as a leader in renewable energy innovation. Granting access rights to these renewable energy projects will almost double NSW’s current operating large-scale wind and solar generation,” said EnergyCo Chief Executive Officer, Hannah McCaughey.
“In addition to private investment, the Central-West Orana REZ will fund community initiatives and generate thousands of jobs. It will also help keep the lights on and secure our energy future.”
When fully operational, the renewable energy projects in this REZ alone are expected to generate 15,000 gigawatt-hours of energy per year.
Liverpool Range Wind Farm, Birriwa Solar and Battery Energy Storage System and Spicers Creek Wind Farm have secured planning approvals and are moving through the next phases of development. The remaining projects are subject to planning approval processes, including ongoing community consultation.
When combined with the recently announced wind, solar and battery projects that will connect to new power lines in the South West REZ, more than 10 gigawatts of renewable energy and storage is being added to the NSW grid, enough to power more than 4.3 million homes.
