Groundbreaking Access Rights for Central-West Orana REZ

In a landmark move, the New South Wales Government has granted access rights to ten renewable energy projects within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). This initiative unlocks new opportunities for wind farms, solar installations, and large-scale battery storage to connect to the region's incoming transmission line.

With a combined capacity of 7.15GW, these projects are expected to power 2.7 million homes by 2031 during peak periods. This expansion will help the state avoid 10.29 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year, bringing NSW closer to its climate goals.

Some of the successful projects include:

Valley of the Winds Wind Farm (ACEN) – 919MW

Birriwa Solar and Battery (ACEN) – 1200MW combined

Sandy Creek Solar and Battery (Lightsource bp) – 1400MW combined

Cobbora Solar and Battery (Pacific Partnerships) – 1100MW combined

Liverpool Range Wind Farm (Tilt Renewables) – 1332MW

These projects are spearheaded by leading renewable developers such as ACEN, Lightsource bp, Pacific Partnerships, and Squadron Energy.

NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe, highlighted the economic potential of the projects, stating they will attract billions in private investment while improving grid reliability and easing energy bills. In addition, $60 million in grants will fund local infrastructure and community-led projects, with access fees delivering sustained benefits over 30 years.

Construction across the ten projects will create over 3,200 jobs, while long-term operations will support an additional 870 roles. The initiative is expected to generate 15,000GWh of renewable energy annually and reinforce regional economies.

EnergyCo CEO Hannah McCaughey said the access rights nearly double NSW’s current large-scale wind and solar capacity. These developments, along with new connections in the South West REZ, push the state past 10GW of renewable energy and storage, solidifying its leadership in Australia’s energy transition.

According to Smart Energy Council CEO John Grimes, the REZ projects are equivalent to replacing nearly three coal-fired power stations, like Eraring. He emphasized that the projects demonstrate Australia's growing ability to deliver clean, affordable, and reliable energy at scale.

As large-scale clean energy continues to expand, EServices4U stands ready to support your journey toward a greener future. Whether you're planning solar or wind installations, energy audits, or need consultation for energy efficiency and infrastructure resilience, our experts can help. Learn more at www.eservices4u.com.au