NSW Govt plans first 'urban renewable energy zone'

The New South Wales Government has begun to engage with industry, community and union leaders on new plans to establish the state’s first ‘urban renewable energy zone’, slated for the Illawarra region on the NSW south coast.

Renewable energy zones (REZs) group new wind and solar power generation into locations where it can be efficiently stored and transmitted across NSW. Five zones have now been identified as suitable for delivering large amounts of renewable energy, with the aim of keeping electricity reliable as coal-fired power stations retire.

On 23 May, energy experts, business leaders and community representatives gathered in Wollongong to map out the next steps for the REZ, including initial options that can be delivered by 2030. The roundtable coincided with the signing of a new memorandum of understanding between EnergyCo, the NSW Government body that leads the delivery of REZs, and local utility Endeavour Energy, to jointly develop innovative network and battery solutions within the REZ.

The two organisations have presented the Illawarra as being uniquely suited to a REZ, thanks to the region’s major energy, port and transport infrastructure, skilled workforce and strong demand for future renewable energy projects. It is anticipated that the Illawarra REZ will help strengthen the local economy and support jobs for decades.

EnergyCo plans to engage closely with community, industry, local government and other stakeholders as the design and delivery of the REZ progresses.

“The Illawarra has the potential to be NSW’s first urban renewable energy zone,” said Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe.

“This is a chance to leverage the community’s enthusiasm for solar, batteries and EVs to benefit the entire region, as well as pursue longer-term opportunities to support green manufacturing.”

The Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Member for Keira Ryan Park, added: “The Illawarra is perfectly poised to host a renewable energy zone which will power homes and businesses here and across NSW.

“The Illawarra already hosts major energy, port and transport infrastructure, we have skilled workers ready to go, and strong demand for projects which capitalise on the region’s ability to innovate.”

Image credit: iStock.com/zetter