Renewable Energy Zones
Renewable Energy Zones will group new wind and solar power generation in certain locations where it can be efficiently stored and transmitted to users.
Five zones have been declared by the NSW Government to help replace ageing NSW coal-fired power, to deliver cleaner, more affordable and more reliable energy to NSW homes and businesses.
About Access Schemes
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 Roadmap.
An access scheme is intended to enable efficient investment in generation, storage and transmission infrastructure in the long-term interest of consumers while delivering positive outcomes for local and First Nations communities.
Generation and storage projects that wish to connect to network infrastructure which is subject to an access scheme may need to apply for an access right. Participants in an access scheme may be charged access fees that include components to fund community benefit and employment programs. ASL, in its statutory role as Consumer Trustee, determines the access fees payable by participants in an access scheme.
Network Authorisation
Network authorisation is one of the consumer protections built into the NSW Roadmap that requires ASL, in its statutory role as Consumer Trustee, to independently assess whether a REZ network infrastructure project recommended by the Infrastructure Planner satisfies the requirements for authorisation under the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act and Regulation.
The Network Authorisation Process and Approach Paper sets out the general approach ASL will adopt in performing its role.
Read the Network Authorisation Process & Approach PaperBrowse Renewable Energy Zone authorisations and access fees
Central-West Orana
- The REZ will initially unlock at least 4.5 gigawatts of new network capacity by the late-2020s.
- New transmission infrastructure will enable generators (such as solar and wind farms) participating in the REZ to export electricity to the rest of the network.
- It is expected to bring up to $20 billion in private investment to the Central-West Orana region by 2030.
- At its peak, this REZ is expected to support around 5,000 construction jobs in the region.
Hunter Central Coast
- The REZ will provide an additional 1 GW of network transfer capacity by 2028.
- It is expected to deliver both short- and long-term wholesale electricity price benefits for NSW consumers.
- It helps meet the state’s emissions reduction targets by enabling replacement renewable generation as coal-fired generators retire.
South West
- Information on South West access rights and access fees can be found on the Tender 5 page.
Illawarra
New England
*The footage above was taken at the following sites:
Gentari, Maryvale Solar and Energy Project
Gentari, Maryvale Solar and Energy Project
Photo credit Avalind
EnergyCo, Hunter Transmission Project