The NSW Labor Government is on track to deliver enough renewable energy to power more than 1.5 million NSW homes, following multiple NSW Government approvals of wind and solar projects in 2023.
Throughout 2023, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) finalised 18 renewable energy State Significant Development (SSD) assessments including three wind farms, six solar farms and nine large-scale batteries.
Of these, 13 were approved by the Department and five were referred to the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) for determination, four of which the Commission has now approved, and one is still in progress.
The recent approvals include the Yanco Delta wind farm in the state’s Riverina region. At 1.5 gigawatts, it is set to be the biggest wind farm in Australia.
The approved projects will generate more than 3,000 jobs during construction and operation, providing a vital economic boost to regional communities.
The projects have the combined capacity to generate and store 7.6 gigawatts of renewable energy. This could save an estimated 8.3 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year and play an essential role in energy security.
A further 29 renewable energy projects are in the planning process. Another 70 new projects are about to be submitted for department approval.
The NSW Government recently completed the exhibition stage on the draft Energy Policy Framework, which includes new guidelines for wind energy development, transmission infrastructure, and benefit sharing, aiming to streamline approvals and provide clarity for both host communities and developers.
The guidelines will be finalised later this year.
For more information, visit NSW Planning.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:
“These approvals represent the NSW Government’s commitment to accelerate the transition to renewables so households and businesses have reliable access to clean and affordable electricity.
“NSW is now about halfway towards our 2030 renewable generation target, and over a quarter of the way there on our long-duration storage target.
“Across government, we will continue to drive the decarbonisation of our energy grid, setting NSW up with clean, reliable energy in the future.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“The Government is prioritising the development of renewable energy projects.
“These projects help deliver clean and affordable energy to NSW residents while injecting millions of dollars into regional economies and creating hundreds of new jobs.
“We will continue to work closely with industry and impacted communities to strike the right balance between supporting renewable energy projects and responsible development.”
Projects:
| Project name | Proponent | Technology | Capacity | REZ / Location | Determining authority |
| Bowmans Creek | Ark Energy | Wind | 347 MW | Hunter – Central Coast REZ / Muswellbrook | IPC determined |
| Hills of Gold | Wind Energy Partners | Wind | 282 MW | New England REZ / Nundle | IPC referred (not yet determined) |
| Yanco Delta | Virya Energy | Wind | 1500 MW | South-West REZ / Jerilderie | DPHI |
| Marulan | Terrain Solar Pty Ltd | Solar | 152 MW | Carrick | DPHI |
| Forest Glen | X-Elio Australia Pty Ltd | Solar | 90 MW | Central West Orana REZ / Minore | DPHI |
| Blind Creek | Blind Creek Solar Farm Pty Ltd | Solar | 350 MW | Bungendore | DPHI |
| Glenellen | Trina Solar | Solar | 200 MW | Albury | IPC determined |
| Glanmire | Elgin Energy | Solar | 60 MW | Bathurst | IPC determined |
| Oxley | Oxley Solar Development | Solar | 215 MW | New England REZ / Metz | IPC determined |
| Waratah | Energy Corporation | Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) | 850 MW / 1680 MWh | Munmorah | Minister |
| Apsley | Acenergy | BESS | 120 MW/240 MWh | Central West Orana REZ / Apsley | DPHI |
| Muswellbrook | Firm Power | BESS | 150 MW / 300 MWh | Hunter- Central Coast REZ /Muswellbrook | DPHI |
| Coleambally | Risen Energy | BESS | 100 MW/ 400 MWh | South West REZ / Coleambally | DPHI |
| Great Western | Neoen | BESS | 500 MW/ 1000 MWh | Wallerawang | DPHI |
| Beresfield | Firm Power | BESS | 170 MW / 340 MWh | Beresfield | DPHI |
| Wellington South | Shell & Empyr Energy JV | BESS | 500 MW / 1000 MWh | Central West Orana REZ / Wellington | DPHI |
| Awaba | Firm Power | BESS | 50 MW / 100MWh | Hunter- Central Coast REZ / Toronto | DPHI |
| Orana | Akaysha Energy | BESS | 400 MW / 1600 MWh | Central West Orana REZ / Wellington | DPHI |