NSW to go ‘even bigger’ with second, 8GW renewable energy zone

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
A large-scale solar-plus-storage facility in South Australia. Image: Kingfisher/Lyon Group.

Plans to develop an 8GW renewable energy zone (REZ) in New South Wales, the Australian state’s second, have been billed as the biggest commitment to clean energy in its history.

Located in the New England region, the AU$79 million (US$55 million) project is expected to attract AU$12.7 billion in investment, support 2,000 construction jobs and 1,300 ongoing jobs – all while lowering energy prices.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The development marks New South Wales’s second of three REZs and comes weeks after the first – located in the Central-West and Orana regions – received 113 registrations of interest, totalling 27GW, looking to connect to the 3GW zone in what constituted a significant oversubscription of available connections.

“The nine-fold level of interest in the Central-West Orana REZ was astounding, so it makes absolute sense to go even bigger with the New England REZ,” said the state’s energy minister Matt Kean.

“The New England REZ… when coupled with Central-West Orana REZ, sets the state up to become the number one destination across Australia for renewable energy investment.”

REZs involve making strategic transmission upgrades to bring multiple new generators online in areas with strong renewable resources and community support.

According to the NSW government, the REZs will play a “vital role” in delivering affordable energy to help replace the state’s existing power stations as they retire over the coming decades.

NSW deputy premier John Barilaro said the government is forging ahead with its plans to deliver new energy infrastructure that will lower electricity bills and create jobs.

“Regional NSW is the best place in Australia for renewable energy investment and the jobs it creates, and this funding allows us to unlock that potential,” he said.

Plans for the New England REZ have been welcomed by the Clean Energy Council, Australia’s renewable energy association. Its chief executive, Kane Thornton, said it made sense to fast-track the project.

“Renewable energy proponents are ready to invest, but there is limited spare capacity in the transmission network for new projects,” he said. “We need new transmission if we want more renewable energy, so we support the NSW government's focus on delivering strategic transmission upgrades for the REZ.

“These are the initiatives that will drive Australia's economic recovery from COVID-19. A clean recovery with renewable energy infrastructure projects will create jobs, revitalise economic activity, reduce our carbon emissions and drive down power prices.”

Read Next

Premium
September 1, 2025
The UK’s new Labour government took power last summer, promising a renewable energy revolution, with solar playing a lead role.
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.
August 31, 2025
Two CIS tenders have opened in Western Australia, seeking 1.6GW of renewable energy generation in the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM).
August 29, 2025
US grid interconnection agreements grew by 33% in 2024, reaching 75GW, with three-quarters signed for solar PV and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, according to a new report from energy market analyst Wood Mackenzie.
Premium
August 29, 2025
PV Tech Premium hears from Renewable Properties and Silicon Ranch about the new 'start of construction' rules for US solar projects.

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