NSW swamped by 34GW of wind, solar
and storage for new renewable zone
New South Wales has again received an
overwhelming response from aspiring developers of wind, solar and
storage projects, with more than 34GW of proposals for the South-West
Renewable Energy Zone, more than 10 times its likely capacity.
The state government, through its newly
formed Energy Corporation of NSW, ran a registration of interest
process in October and November for the south-west region, one of at
least five REZs planned to help replace the ageing coal fleet over the
coming decade.
“There were 49 registrations totalling
over 34 gigawatts from potential generation and storage projects –
thirteen times the intended capacity for the South-West REZ, which
will be no less than 2.5 gigawatts,” James Hay, the CEO of Energy
Corp, said in a statement on Friday.
“This project will bring an economic
boost to the region and with interest from a variety of established
and innovative technologies including wind, solar, battery and
hydrogen projects.
It’s not the first time that a request
for information for one of the state’s proposed REZs has elicited an
overwhelming response, but this is clearly the most dramatic.
The Central-West Orana zone, based around
Dubbo and Wellington and likely the first to be developed, received
27GW of proposals when it sought 3GW, while the New England REZ, based
around Armidale, received 34GW of proposals for a likely capacity of
8GW.
Other zones are to be created in the
Hunter Central Coast region, and the Illawarra region, with more
likely to follow to encourage offshore and floating wind farms.
In total, NSW has already received nearly
100GW of wind, solar and storage proposals to choose from, and to help
it tailor the roll-out of renewables and storage across the state
under its new central planning regime.
Those wanting to be part of the newly
formed REZs will bid for access rights, which will more or less
guarantee no network curtailment, and may also be rewarded with a
minimum guaranteed payment for their output.
The South-West REZ is based around Hay
and is located on the lands of the Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta, Baraba
Baraba, Wemba Wemba, Wadi Wadi, Madi Madi, Nari Nari, and Yitha Yitha
people.
It was chosen because of the abundance of
potential solar projects in the area, as well as wind, and will be
supported by the new transmission line, Project EnergyConnect, that
will link South Australia and NSW and pass through the region.
“The number of responses to the ROI
reflects the strong level of interest in the South-West and helps
ensure only the best projects which benefit the community and maximise
local renewable jobs and investment in the region will be picked,” Hay
said.
“Timing, capacity, design and location of
the new South-West REZ will be considered alongside ongoing
consultation with local stakeholders through the South-West Regional
Reference Group, project partners and local stakeholders including
local councils and First Nations representatives,” he said.
Hay said the South-West REZ is a
significant undertaking and will take several years to plan, design
and build and will most likely be delivered in stages.
Giles Parkinson is founder and
editor of
Renew
Economy, and is also the founder of
One
Step Off The Grid and founder/editor of the EV-focused
The Driven.
Giles has been a journalist for 40 years and is a former business
and deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review.
Green Play Ammonia™, Yielder® NFuel Energy.
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