NSW government's plan to make New England the ‘renewable capital of NSW’

The proposal would see the region take the lead in future renewable energy development, in the NSW government’s vision to concentrate solar and wind farms, along with hydro projects in key areas across the state.

The report says the region could potentially generate 4000MW of wind energy and 12,000MW of solar energy. It also identified 1500 potential sites for pumped hydro energy storage. 

Combined, that’s enough to power 1.6 billion energy efficient lights or 16 million oil heaters – nearly two turned on for each household in Australia.

Northern Tablelands MP and vocal renewable supporter Adam Marshall said the region was quickly becoming the “renewables capital of NSW”.

“I’ve long said that our region is the perfect place for wind and solar farms and this submission confirms our vital role in producing the energy our state needs, recognising the incredible investment in our region thus far and identifying room for further growth,” Mr Marshall said.

The New England region already has an abundance of renewable projects, such as the wind farms near Glen Innes and Inverell, and many more in the pipeline.

Mr Marshall said in a few years, his electorate would produce 1.51 gigawatts (1510MW) of green energy.

“That number will only grow following this incredible mark of confidence in our ability to export power to the state,” he said.

“This plan could unlock a further 77 gigawatts of new generation capacity, with much of that investment flowing to our region.”

The two other priority areas are the Central West, centred on Dubbo, and South West NSW, around Hay.

The NSW government's plan to encourage large-scale renewable investment in New England has been submitted to the national energy regulator, the Australian Energy Markets Operation, for approval.

On Thursday night, the community of Nundle will hear details of a $600-million wind farm proposal, which would see 98 wind turbines, standing at 220m tall, line 20km of ridgeline above the town.