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Planning
Planning

Renewable energy

Helping to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and ensuring a secure, affordable and reliable electricity supply for NSW

Renewable Energy Planning Framework

The Renewable Energy Planning Framework provides clarity and transparency for how renewable energy developments are assessed and managed. It includes a suite of planning policies and guidelines for wind and solar energy generation and transmission infrastructure. It also includes Benefit Sharing Guidelines (PDF, 3.2 MB) so communities receive benefits from the renewable energy projects they’re hosting.

Find out more

Across NSW, our electricity systems are getting an upgrade

An all-of-Government effort is underway to make sure that as coal-fired power stations retire, NSW has enough renewable energy, transmission, and storage to meet the energy needs of every household, school, hospital, farm and business across the state.

The Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap is our pathway to powering our state with affordable, clean and reliable energy for everyone.

The roadmap was released in 2020 and is a 20-year plan that sets out a coordinated way forward to deliver at least 12 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable energy generation and 2 GW of long-duration storage by 2030. Renewable generation and long duration projects that achieve Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) committed status from November 2019 contribute to the roadmap minimum objectives.

Planning for renewable energy projects is an important first step toward NSW reaching its renewable energy goals.

Since November 2019 we’ve approved:

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62 projects

that support the renewable energy transition

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9.9 GW

new generation projects

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11.6 GW

battery energy storage system projects

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2 GW

long duration storage projects

That's enough to support approximately:

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4.4 million

homes powered annually or

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17,230

jobs created or

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17 million

tonnes annual greenhouse emissions saved annually

Assessments

The transition to renewables will bring more affordable, reliable and clean energy to every household, business, school, farm and hospital across NSW.

The Department’s role is to assess proposed renewable energy projects so that they can begin construction. Assessment timeframes have improved dramatically, and approvals are now flowing.

Since November 2019, the NSW Government has assessed and approved 9.9 GW worth of new renewable energy generation projects, 11.6 GW / 27.46 gigawatt hours (GWh) of big batteries and 2 GW / 350 GWh of long duration storage.

Along with contributing to the roadmap objectives, these approvals feed the pipeline of renewable energy projects needed for the NSW Government’s objective to deliver a 50% cut in emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.

A comprehensive overview of progress made towards the energy transition and insights gained from community consultation are included in the Renewable Energy Transition Update.

Solar farm supporting the use of renewable energy.

Projects approved

The pie chart shows the percentage split of renewable energy projects approved since the start of the roadmap. Project assessments and approvals are the critical first step in our transition to renewable energy.

Solar farms (50%) have the most approvals – Australia has world-class renewable energy sources and the highest average solar radiation per square metre of any continent in the world.

Standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) are the next most approved project type (29%), however this figure does not reflect the true scale of BESS approvals, as the majority of solar farms and wind farms now include them as ancillary components.

Wind energy approvals are lower (11%), however wind turbines are more efficient at producing energy than solar panels. The approved wind projects (11%) have the potential to generate over half the energy (3.6 GW) that the approved solar projects (50%) can generate (6.3 GW).

Transmission approvals make up 8% of projects approved and pumped hydro is significantly lower at <2%.

The pie chart shows the percentage of project approvals from November 2019 to November 2024. While the roadmap was released in November 2020, renewable generation and long duration projects that achieve Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) committed status from November 2019 contribute to the roadmap minimum objectives.

 

Renewable energy project tracker

While we have been contributing to the roadmap and its objectives since November 2019, NSW Planning has been approving renewable energy projects for the last 2 decades. This table lists all renewable energy projects that have been approved at a state-significant level since 2005 to now. For more information on individual projects, visit Major Projects on the NSW Planning Portal (search for the project’s name or key words like 'wind', 'solar' or 'energy').

This table is updated monthly and was last updated on 11 November 2024:

  • Approved – projects approved and under construction.
  • Operational – projects that are built, producing energy and connected to the grid.
Showing all data for Project's
ProjectProject typeStatusDetails
Shoalhaven Hydro Expansion � Geotech Investigations Hydro Approved
Snowy 2.0 � Main Works Hydro Approved
Bogan River (formerly Nyngan) Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Capital Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Manildra Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Moree Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Broken Hill Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Nyngan Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Griffith Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Parkes Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
White Rock Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Riverina Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Goonumbla Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Sunraysia Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Nevertire Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Walgett Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Gilgandra Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Metz Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Limondale Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Coleambally Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Hillston Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Beryl Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Hay Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Finley Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Jemalong Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Currawarra Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Tarleigh Park Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Wellington Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Sandigo Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Sapphire Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Bomen Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Vales Point Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Suntop Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Darlington Point Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Gregadoo Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Mulwala Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Yarrabee Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Narrabri South Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Sebastopol Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Gunnedah Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Wyalong Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Orange Grove Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Avonlie Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
West Wyalong Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Maryvale Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Wollar Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
New England Solar Farm Solar Farm Operational
Yanco Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Quorn Park Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Maxwell Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Walla Walla Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Tamworth Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Bonshaw Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Jindera Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Yarren Hut Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Springdale Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Culcairn Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Wellington North Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Stubbo Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Dunedoo Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Tilbuster Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Silverleaf Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Forest Glen Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Blind Creek Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Marulan Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Oxley Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Glenellen Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Glanmire Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Daroobalgie Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Peninsula Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Birriwa Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Goulburn River Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Wallaroo Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Gunning Solar Farm Solar Farm Approved
Hume Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Broken Hill Battery Energy Storage System Storage Operational
Liddell Battery and Bayswater Ancillary Works Storage Approved
Eraring BESS Storage Approved
Wallerawang Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Waratah Super Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Apsley Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Muswellbrook Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Coleambally Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Great Western Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Awaba Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Wellington South Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Orana Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Beresfield Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Bellambi Heights Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Smithfield Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Woodland Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Calala Battery Energy Storage System Storage Approved
Powering Sydney's Future Transmission Operational
Project EnergyConnect (NSW � Western Section) Transmission Approved
Project EnergyConnect (NSW � Eastern Section) Transmission Approved
Snowy 2.0 � Transmission Connection Transmission Approved
Central-West Orana REZ Transmission Transmission Approved
Woodlawn Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Taralga Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Capital Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Cullerin Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Conroys Gap Wind Farm Wind Farm Approved
Silverton Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Gullen Range Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Crookwell 2 Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Upper Hunter Energy Park Wind Farm (formerly Kyoto Energy Park Wind Farm) Wind Farm Approved
Boco Rock Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Glen Innes Wind Farm Wind Farm Approved
Capital Wind Farm � Stage 2 Wind Farm Approved
White Rock Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Sapphire Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Bodangora Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Collector Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Flyers Creek Wind Farm Wind Farm Approved
Yass Valley Wind Farm Wind Farm Approved
Crudine Ridge Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Biala Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Rye Park Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Liverpool Range Wind Farm Wind Farm Approved
Bango Wind Farm Wind Farm Operational
Crookwell 3 Wind Farm Wind Farm Approved
Uungula Wind Farm Wind Farm Approved
Yanco Delta Wind Farm Wind Farm Approved
Bowmans Creek Wind Farm Wind Farm Approved
Muswellbrook Solar Farm Solar Farm Under assessment
Tallawang Solar Farm Solar Farm Under assessment
Middlebrook Solar Farm Solar Farm Under assessment
Summerville Solar Farm Solar Farm Under assessment
Thunderbolt Wind Farm Wind Farm Approved
Bendemeer Solar Farm Solar Farm Under assessment
Sundown Solar Farm Solar Farm Under assessment
Dinawan Solar Farm Solar Farm Under assessment
The Plains Solar Farm Solar Farm Under assessment
Sandy Creek Solar Farm Solar Farm Under assessment
Richmond Valley Solar Farm Solar Farm Under assessment
Maison Dieu Solar Farm Solar Farm Under assessment
Hills of Gold Wind Farm Wind Farm Approved
Spicers Creek Wind Farm Wind Farm Approved
Valley of the Winds Wind Farm Wind Farm Under assessment
Winterbourne Wind Farm Wind Farm Under assessment
Paling Yards Wind Farm Wind Farm Under assessment
Burrendong Wind Farm Wind Farm Under assessment
The Plains Wind Farm Wind Farm Under assessment
Keri Keri Wind Farm Wind Farm Under assessment
Pottinger Wind Farm Wind Farm Under assessment
Dinawan Wind Farm Wind Farm Under assessment
Junction Rivers Wind Farm (formerly Burrawong Wind Farm) Wind Farm Under assessment
Baldon Wind Farm Wind Farm Under assessment
Bullawah Wind Farm Wind Farm Under assessment
Tomago Battery Energy Storage System Storage Under assessment
Silver City Energy Storage System Storage Under assessment
Armidale Battery Energy Storage System Storage Under assessment
Tamworth Battery Energy Storage System Storage Under assessment
Mt Piper Battery Energy Storage System Storage Under assessment
Kingswood Battery Energy Storage System Storage Under assessment
Ridgey Creek Battery Energy Storage System Storage Under assessment
Panorama Battery Energy Storage System Storage Under assessment
Beryl Battery Energy Storage System Storage Under assessment
Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Hydro Under assessment
Shoalhaven Hydro Expansion Project - Main Works Hydro Under assessment
Stratford Renewable Energy Hub Hydro Under assessment
Humelink Transmission Under assessment
Burroway Solar Farm Solar Farm Under assessment
Mallee Wind Farm Wind Farm Under assessment
Mallee Solar Farm Solar Farm Under assessment

Solar energy

Renewables like solar are now the most affordable source of energy, and we’re already harnessing our natural solar generation advantages in NSW. Technology is also becoming increasingly available to support large-scale solar energy storage.

Solar energy is helping to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and give the people of NSW a reliable and affordable energy supply.

Since November 2019 the NSW Government has approved 31 solar energy projects with a combined power generation of 6.33 GW – enough to power approximately 2.58 million homes.

There are 8 solar projects under construction, with more in the planning pipeline.

Visit Major Projects on the NSW Planning Portal to find out more about individual projects and what’s in the planning pipeline (search for projects using the project name or key words like 'solar', ‘energy’).

Wind energy

We have abundant wind resources in NSW, and wind farms are harnessing this resource to deliver clean, affordable and reliable energy for everyone in NSW.

The NSW Government supports the development of a sustainable wind energy industry in the state. Wind energy is helping to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy costs.

Since November 2019 7 wind energy projects were approved with a combined power generation of 3.6 GW – enough to power approximately 1.87 million homes.

There are 4 wind projects under construction, with more projects in the planning pipeline.

Visit Major Projects on the NSW Planning Portal to find out more about individual projects and what’s in the planning pipeline (search for projects using the project name or key words like ‘wind’, ‘energy’).

Battery, pumped-hydro and energy storage

In NSW, we have the expertise, commitment and a plan to harness our abundant solar and wind resources.

For those times when the sun isn’t shining or the wind blowing as strongly, we need to make sure we have large-scale energy storage like pumped hydro and big batteries to draw power from.

This process is sometimes referred to as ‘firming’, and it means that in the times when our natural resources aren’t generating as much energy, we have a reliable and stable power source available.

We will need a significant amount of new storage and firming infrastructure over the coming decades to meet the NSW Government’s legislated net zero target and fill the energy gap created by the exit of coal-fired power generation.

Since November 2019 the NSW Government approved 18 battery energy storage systems, with a combined power storage of 5.7 GW – enough to power 1.01 million homes for a day.

In addition, 24 battery energy storage systems have been approved as part of solar projects, with 4.49 GW of storage to power approximately 567,426 homes for a day. A further 4 battery energy storage systems have been approved as part of wind projects with 1.45 GW of storage to power approximately 203,784 homes for a day.

There are 3 battery energy storage projects under construction, with more battery and pumped-hydro projects in the planning pipeline.

Visit Major Projects on the NSW Planning Portal to find out more about individual projects and what’s in the planning pipeline (search for projects using the project name or key words like ‘battery’, ‘BESS’ or ‘energy’).

Renewable energy storage systems will ensure that everyone has access to affordable, clean and reliable energy.

Hydrogen

The NSW Government supports the development of the hydrogen industry and recognises its potential as a clean, renewable and reliable source of green energy, alternate fuel and industrial feedstock.

In October 2021, the NSW Government released the NSW Hydrogen Strategy. The strategy aims to stimulate investment and lower hydrogen production costs to enable the rapid expansion of a new hydrogen industry.

Adopting hydrogen technologies will help us meet the NSW Government’s commitment for net zero emissions by 2050.

Transmission

The NSW Government is leading a once-in-a-generation upgrade of the electricity network, building the infrastructure we need to keep the lights on.

We need to build new transmission lines to link power-generating solar farms, wind farms and storage systems like mega batteries and pumped hydro to the energy grid. This makes sure clean, affordable and reliable electricity is delivered to homes, businesses, farms, hospitals and schools around the state.

Our current transmission lines don’t have spare capacity for energy that needs to be transmitted, and they aren’t necessarily in the places where we have the best renewable energy resources.

Since November 2019 the NSW Government has approved 5 key transmission lines that will connect renewable energy projects to the national electricity network, including EnergyConnect (East and West), Central-West Orana REZ Transmission, Snowy 2.0 Transmission, Powering Sydney’s Future and Humelink.

We are assessing new transmission infrastructure projects that could be developed over the coming years to connect our renewable generators and storage to the grid. Transmission lines are essential in helping NSW reach its Roadmap objectives and 2050 net zero targets.

Visit Major Projects on the NSW Planning Portal to find out more about individual projects and what’s in the planning pipeline (search for projects using the project name of key words ‘transmission’ or ‘energy’).

Independent Expert Advisory Panel

The Independent Expert Advisory Panel for Energy Transition has been established to give our planning team and the Independent Planning Commission of NSW access to the world's-best scientific advice when assessing energy projects related to NSW renewable energy zones under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.