ACEN Australia‘s Birriwa Solar and Battery project has been granted planning approval by NSW’s Independent Planning Commission (IPC).
This approval also marks the first generation and storage project approved for connection to the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) transmission network.
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“Our attention will now turn to preparing for construction, including development of temporary workers accommodation, implementing our strategies to employ local staff where possible, and to source goods and services from local businesses,” ACEN Australia stated on the project website.
“We will also continue to contribute to long-term benefits for the local community through our Social Investment Program. We anticipate construction will commence in late 2026 or early 2027, with energy generation from the project anticipated around 2029, in line with the CWO REZ timeframes.”
Subject to federal approval, the Birriwa Solar and Battery Project will be constructed on approximately 1,200ha of mostly cleared grazing land, about 20km south-east of Dunedoo, in the NSW Central-West Orana region.
It will generate enough energy to power approximately 262,000 average Australian homes.
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The project is proposed to connect to the Merotherie Energy Hub and the associated 500kV and 330kV transmission infrastructure proposed by EnergyCo NSW as part of the CWO REZ development.
Upon completion, it is anticipated that sheep grazing will continue on site, expanding on ACEN Australia’s success with solar grazing at its New England Solar project.
