Hunter-Central Coast renewable energy zone takes crucial shape, opens to feedback

Sophie Vorrath 30 September 2022

The New South Wales government has moved a step closer to opening up of one of the state’s most promising and highly sought-after renewable energy zones, with the release of a draft declaration of the Hunter-Central Coast REZ.

The draft declaration sets out the intended size, location and infrastructure of the key REZ, which attracted renewable generation and storage projects representing almost 40GW and more than $100 billion of potential investment in a recent ROI process.

The Hunter-Central Coast REZ takes in a NSW industrial hub best known for coal power generation and aluminium smelting, and which offers huge promise for a transition to renewables – not least of all, offshore wind.

As RenewEconomy reported in February, the ROI process rallied interest from 24 solar projects, 13 onshore and seven offshore wind projects. This was joined by eight pumped hydro energy storage projects and proposals for 35 big batteries.

As the Hunter region is already host to several coal-fired generators that are scheduled to close it is expected that some proposed projects will seek to re-purpose existing network infrastructure, potentially reducing project costs.

Ideal location for a REZ

The renewables promise of the Hunter and Central Coast regions comes from the excellent wind and solar resources, existing power station and network infrastructure, rehabilitated mining land, port and transport infrastructure and skilled workforce.

https://reneweconomy.com.au/hunter-central-coast-renewable-energy-zone-takes-crucial-shape-opens-to-feedback/