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 the homes in New South Wales.
The NSW Government has awarded groundbreaking ‘access rights’ to 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.
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The projects have a total of 7.15GW 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.
Renewable energy generators and projects that have been successful in securing rights to connect to the Central-West Orana REZ are:
- Valley of the Winds (wind farm) — ACEN (919MW)
- Birriwa Solar (solar facility) — ACEN (600MW)
- Birriwa Battery Energy Storage System (battery storage) — ACEN (600MW)
- Sandy Creek Solar (solar facility) — Lightsource bp (700MW)
- Sandy Creek Battery Energy Storage System (battery) — Lightsource bp (700MW)
- Cobbora Solar (solar facility) — Pacific Partnerships (700MW)
- Cobbora Battery Energy Storage System (battery) — Pacific Partnerships (400MW)
- Tallawang Solar Hybrid (solar and battery facility) — Potentia Energy (500MW)
- Spicers Creek Wind Farm (wind farm) — Squadron Energy (700MW)
- Liverpool Range Wind Farm (stages 1 and 2) (wind farm) — Tilt Renewables (1.3GW).
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.
EnergyCo CEO Hannah McCaughey said, “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.
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“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.”
REZs will group new wind and solar power generation into locations where it can be efficiently stored and transmitted across NSW. Five zones have been identified and will keep electricity reliable as coal-fired power stations retire, by delivering large amounts of energy.
