Multiple projects are under consideration by the Hunter Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), representing almost 40 gigawatts and more than $100B of potential investment.
NSW Treasurer and Energy Minister, Matt Kean, said the overwhelming response to a request for submissions showed the region would continue to be the energy powerhouse of NSW long into the future.
“These results show that energy investors see the Hunter and Central Coast as some of the best investment destinations anywhere in the country, which will translate into jobs and prosperity for the region,” Kean said.
“Renewable Energy Zones are vital to ensuring the future reliability and affordability of electricity in NSW as traditional coal fired power stations close down over the coming decades.”
Commercial interest has been registered in: 24 solar energy projects; 13 onshore and seven offshore wind energy projects; 35 large-scale batteries; and eight pumped hydro projects.
These projects have the potential to deliver more than 100,000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy a year – equivalent to the annual output of up to 10 coal fired power stations.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said the results of the registration of interest showed the region would reap the jobs and investment rewards from the transformation of the energy system.
“The REZ will not only attract investment in clean energy, it will also underpin the growth of new low-carbon industries such as green hydrogen, ammonia and metals production which the world is going to need as it decarbonises,” Crouch said.
The response to the Hunter-Central Coast REZ continued the huge market interest in the Renewable Energy Zones that are being developed across NSW, following earlier processes in the Central West Orana, New England and South West regions which have attracted a combined 95 gigawatts of interest.
The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) is in the early stages of planning the Hunter-Central Coast REZ and will be using this information to inform the timing, capacity and boundaries of the facility.
EnergyCo will be engaging closely with industry, local government, local communities and other stakeholders as it progresses the design and delivery of the REZ.
It is expected that the Hunter-Central Coast REZ will be formally declared under the NSW Government’s Electricity Roadmap legislation by mid-2022.
A spokesperson said now that registrations of interest had been received things should develop quickly, with community consultation to be undertaken.
With expressions of interest well and truly over-subscribed, the Government will decide which projects are the most viable.
Source:
Media release, Feb 15
NSW Government