Australia’s NSW plots 17.7GW green energy push across three zones

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Sydney, New South Wales. Source: Flickr, Steve Collis

New South Wales (NSW) has committed to deploying 17.7GW of solar, wind and storage over the next decade, in order to replace retiring generators and hit net-zero emissions by 2050.

Three renewable energy zones – in Central-West, New England and South-West – will be the epicentre of the build-out, according to a new zero-emissions roadmap published by the state's coalition government over the weekend.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Dubbed ‘Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020-2030’, the document notes that the rural renewables zones could spur AU$23 billion (US$14.1 billion) of private sector investment and create about 2,000 construction jobs annually.

Transmission infrastructure will be expanded to those three regions, it notes.

The Central-West region was identified by the state government as the location for the pilot renewable energy zone in an electricity strategy published in late November, when it was earmarked for 3GW of renewables development.

The emission-slashing roadmap is the “most comprehensive, full-funded plan in Australia,” according to a statement by Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Keen.

The state and federal governments will invest almost AU$2 billion (US$1.21 billion) over the next ten years, he said, in order to move NSW towards its goal of reducing emissions by 35% in 2030 compared to 2005.

The government claims that the planned renewables build-out will work with a raft of other energy savings and efficiency schemes, which the plan predicts will slash household energy bills by as much as AU$40 (US$24.68) a year.

The plan also revealed that NSW has doubled its 2024 solar target from 55,000MWh to 126,000MWh.

The minister noted that the plan should “not be seen as the final word on emissions reduction between 2020 and 2030, but a foundation on which we will build” given the potential for “new opportunities, inconceivable today”.

Read Next

September 10, 2025
The CEFC has said that a coordinated approach to transmission in Pilbara, Western Australia, could save more than AU$30 billion over 25 years.
September 9, 2025
Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM) broke records yesterday when renewables supplied 76.4% of total electricity demand, with solar power contributing nearly 60% of the record-breaking clean energy mix.
September 5, 2025
Research firm Rystad Energy has found that Queensland’s utility-scale solar PV power plants have dominated the best-performing assets, in terms of AC capacity factor, rankings for August 2025.
September 4, 2025
ARENA has launched the second funding round of its AU$1 billion Solar Sunshot programme, making AU$150 million available.
September 1, 2025
Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) hit a record high for the combined utility-scale solar PV and wind share in the electricity mix on 30 August.
August 31, 2025
Renewables developer and independent power producer (IPP) TagEnergy has acquired Australian developer ACE Power, adding 6GW of renewable energy and storage projects to its portfolio.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines