Renewable energy generation projects
The Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) will bring renewable energy generation projects (such as wind and solar) together with energy storage (such as batteries) and connect them to the electricity network. EnergyCo is working closely with the developers of major generation projects with planned connections to the REZ transmission project.
Project approval pathway
Generation and storage projects that wish to connect to the new Central-West Orana REZ network infrastructure, to which the Central-West Orana REZ Access Scheme applies, will need to seek an access right.
Developers of renewable energy projects are also required to seek other necessary approvals to allow for the construction and operation of their projects in accordance with relevant legislation. This includes submitting a development application to obtain development consent from the Minister for Planning or the Independent Planning Commission.
Development of electricity generating projects, including wind and solar renewable energy projects, with a capital investment value of more than $30 million are classified as State significant development (SSD) under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) 2021. Generation projects that meet this criteria are required to submit Development Applications (DA) with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE).
DPE coordinates the assessment of applications under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. This includes working with other Government agencies and councils, encouraging community participation, and preparing a detailed whole-of-government assessment report, including any recommended conditions of consent on the merits of SSD projects for the consent authority.
The DA process for all SSD projects, including generators, includes:
- initial consultations with the Department
- preparation of a Scoping Report by the generator to support an application for Secretary’s Environment Assessment Requirements (SEARs), which set the terms of reference for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
- the preparation of an EIS and community consultation
- public exhibition of the EIS to allow the community and other stakeholders to make submissions
- preparation of a Submissions Report by the generator explaining how issues addressed in the submissions have been addressed
- whole of government assessment coordinated by DPE
- determination by the Minister for Planning or the Independent Planning Commission.
The SEARs set the Terms of Reference for the EIS and typically require consultation with the community, stakeholders and government agencies including addressing the requirements of DPE’s Undertaking Engagement Guidelines for State Significant Projects.
The EIS must address a range of impacts, depending on the location, nature and scape of the project. Typical issues assessed in an EIS for a generation project include land uses, visual, noise, biodiversity, heritage (including Aboriginal heritage), transport, water, hazards and electromagnetic interference, and social issues. The EIS must also identify measures to avoid, minimise and manage impacts in accordance with a range of comprehensive government policies and guidelines.
Access schemes are a key part of the NSW Government’s plan to coordinate and encourage renewable energy and storage investment in REZs and realise the objectives of the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.
For more information, visit Access schemes.
Managing impacts to communities in the REZ
We’ve been engaging with local communities and key stakeholders since early 2022 to help inform the development of the Central-West Orana REZ. Community input will be critical to the successful delivery and coordination of the REZ and we are committed to ongoing, effective engagement throughout the planning process.
We appreciate there are areas of concern for the community in relation to the REZ transmission project and the REZ as a whole, including cumulative impacts on communities as a result of generation projects and new transmission infrastructure. As the Infrastructure Planner for the REZ, EnergyCo has an interest in ensuring that cumulative impacts in the REZ are properly assessed, managed and coordinated. We take these concerns seriously and are developing a number of strategies and initiatives to ensure the REZ provides positive outcomes for local communities.
We are liaising with developers of generation projects, local councils, government agencies and other key stakeholders on strategies to ensure potential cumulative impacts are managed and coordinated within the REZ. The key topics being investigated include workforce accommodation, training opportunities, roads and traffic management, telecommunication improvements, waste management, and a range of key community and health services.
Major generation projects with planned connections to the REZ transmission network
A major renewable energy generator is a developer with a proposed generation and storage project over 250 megawatts.
Based on a set of criteria, EnergyCo has identified major renewable generation projects with planned connections to the REZ transmission network that we will work with closely as we deliver the REZ.
This approach enables EnergyCo and generators to collaborate on community benefits, manage cumulative impacts and leave a lasting positive legacy within the REZ. Although early engagement with the generators is required for development, this does not negate their planning and access approvals.
EnergyCo will be administering an expediated application process to allocate the initial tranche of access rights for the Central-West Orana REZ. Projects will need to be allocated an access right before connecting to the REZ network. Any prior collaboration with EnergyCo does not guarantee development approval and access rights.
The major renewable generation projects are listed below. You can also visit EnergyCo’s interactive map to view the locations of the major generation projects in the REZ.
| Project | Developer | Project status | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spicers Creek Wind Farm | Squadron Energy | Environmental Assessment | Email: [email protected] Tel: 02 4013 4640 |
| Sandy Creek Solar Farm | Lightsource BP | Preparing EIS | Email: [email protected] Tel: 1300 873 575 |
| Cobbora Solar Farm | Marble Energy | Preparing EIS | Email: [email protected].au |
| Dapper Solar Farm | Origin Energy | Preliminary Design | Email: [email protected] Tel: 1800 677 315 |
| Tallawang Solar Farm | RES | Environmental Assessment | Email: [email protected] Tel: 1800 118 737 |
| Liverpool Range Wind Farm | Tilt Renewables | Approved | Email: [email protected] Tel: 1800 938 458 |
| Birriwa BESS / Birriwa Solar | ACEN Australia | Environmental Assessment | Email: [email protected] Tel: 1800 290 995 |
| Narragamba Solar | ACEN Australia | Preparing EIS | Email: [email protected] Tel: 1800 434 062 |
| Valley of the Winds | ACEN Australia | Response to submission stage | Email: [email protected] Tel: 1800 512 339 |