Workers on the Central Coast may benefit from the powering up of renewable energy projects, with registrations of interest now open for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said renewable energy projects and businesses with large electrical loads are being asked to register their interest in being part of the REZ.
“The NSW Government is focused on making sure new energy infrastructure is built in places where the community wants it, and the Central Coast is ready to welcome the renewable technology of the future,” Crouch said.
“Extensive and meaningful community engagement is at the core of the REZ program, with the Hunter-Central Coast REZ expected to take several years to design and develop.”
Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment, Matt Kean, said the REZ will connect multiple energy generators and storage projects across the regions, which will help industry thrive and create the low carbon jobs of the future.
“This new REZ will ensure the Hunter and Central Coast remain the powerhouse of NSW, with 60 per cent of the state’s homes, businesses and industry already powered out of these regions,” Kean said.
“The Hunter-Central Coast REZ will provide cheap, reliable and clean electricity for the homes and businesses of NSW, while supporting new job creation as we shift to a low carbon future.
“The NSW Government has the nation-leading policies and plans in place to deliver on our commitment to halve our state’s emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050.”
MLC Taylor Martin said there are already 13 renewable energy and battery storage projects in the Hunter and Central Coast, which are approved or progressing through the planning system.
“The Hunter-Central Coast REZ is a key part of our state’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which is expected to deliver $32B in private investment, and create 6,300 construction and 2,800 ongoing jobs by 2030,” Martin said.
The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo NSW) is in the early stages of planning the REZ and registrations of interest will help to inform the timing, capacity, design and location of the project.
REZs are modern day power stations bringing together low-cost solar and wind generation with transmission and storage to produce cheap, clean and reliable electricity.
The call for registrations of interest in the Hunter-Central Coast REZ will close on February 4, 2022.
For details go to https://energy.nsw.gov.au/renewable-energy-zones.
Source:
Media releaser, Dec 3
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch