The New South Wales Government has introduced a new law to speed up the delivery of key renewable energy projects, to power large energy users as coal-fired power stations exit the system.
The proposed legislation will allow the NSW Energy Minister to identify the highest-priority renewable energy projects in the planning pipeline, and prioritise them for streamlining.
The proposed law will not remove any environmental or community assessment requirements. Developers will still need to meet all relevant planning, environmental and consultation obligations.
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Priority energy projects must demonstrate best practice in how they work with landholders and communities, particularly in regional NSW.
The Energy Legislation Amendment (Prioritising Renewable Energy) Bill 2026 will also support the effective and consistent implementation of the NSW Benefit-Sharing Guideline, ensuring councils and communities hosting projects receive associated benefits.
More than $180 million in benefits have been committed to communities since the guideline’s introduction in November 2024. This is in addition to the Renewable Energy Zone community and employment benefit funds coordinated by EnergyCo.
Further reforms are also in development to improve the way projects are referred to the Independent Planning Commission for determination, to ensure NSW residents continue to have a strong voice while avoiding unnecessary delays to energy projects that are critical to NSW.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe said, “The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring reliable, affordable energy for our heavy industries like the Tomago aluminium smelter, and to power economic growth across the state.
“This new legislation will mean infrastructure projects that are critical for manufacturing jobs, economic growth and energy affordability don’t get stuck in the queue.
“No matter where you live in this state, you will benefit from us getting on with the job and delivering quality renewable projects as fast as we can.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said, “With a growing pipeline of energy projects ahead of us, we need a planning system that can support achieving our ambitious energy targets.
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“Since 2023, we’ve already reduced assessment times for renewable energy projects by almost 20% while delivering 50% more approvals.
“These reforms build on that success by enshrining the community benefit scheme and streamlining prioritised projects in the planning system with the most potential to power our state’s future, making sure the right projects are delivered at the right time in the right places in line with our energy goals.”
