The New South Wales Labor government has announced a $225 million budget spend on critical grid upgrades to unlock the full potential of one of the state’s most important renewable energy zones, that is host to some of the state’s biggest new wind and solar projects.
State energy minister Penny Sharpe says the new funding will unlock 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of network capacity in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) – more than half of its total 2.5 GW – and enable the extension of the transmission network through to Dinawan substation.
The money will also give access rights holders the certainty they need to progress their projects, including Origin Energy’s huge 1.45 GW Yanco Delta wind farm, which is approved for construction in the REZ, but is still yet to reach a final investment decision.
Other projects lining up to be developed in the zone include BayWa RE’s Bullawah Wind Farm, the Pottinger Energy Park being co-developed by Someva Renewables and AGL, and Spark Renewables’ Dinawan Energy Hub.
“Renewable energy is the cheapest form of new energy, and connecting more of it to the grid is one of the most important things we can do to put downward pressure on electricity bills,” Sharpe said on Wednesday.
