Notification of Draft Headroom Assessment for the Central-West Orana REZ Access Scheme
EnergyCo, as the Infrastructure Planner for the Central-West Orana REZ, has started the process of conducting a headroom assessment to increase the amount of aggregate maximum capacity that can connect in the REZ.
A Notification of Draft Headroom Assessment for the Central-West Orana Access Scheme has been published and is open for submission from the public.
In December 2023, the Minster for Energy amended the Renewable Energy Zone (Central-West Orana) Order 2021 to increase the intended network capacity of the Central-West Orana REZ from 3 GW to 6 GW, noting the network infrastructure will initially be built at 4.5 GW. This was reflected in the network recommendation authorised by the Consumer Trustee in May 2024.
This is a technical process that is primarily designed to support generation and storage projects that are already working with EnergyCo and are covered by the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone transmission project planning approval received in June 2024.
The aggregate maximum capacity cap proposed in this headroom assessment may not be the final limit on aggregate maximum capacity for the Central-West Orana REZ. EnergyCo will conduct future headroom assessments in accordance with the Access Scheme Declaration. Generation and storage projects wishing to connect to the Central-West Orana REZ are welcomed to engage with EnergyCo to discuss their pathway to access rights. All generation and storage projects are subject to the relevant planning and environmental approvals, including statutory consultation.
Increasing the aggregate maximum capacity cap will support in making the Central-West Orana REZ a success for the NSW Government, industry, host communities and energy consumers.
Any submissions on the Notification of Draft Headroom Assessment for the Central-West Orana REZ Access Scheme should be sent to [email protected].
Submission close on 5 September 2024.
For more information refer to the Access Scheme page.