NSW has raised its renewable generation target to 16 GW by 2030, from 12 GW
It now targets 42 GWh of long-duration storage by 2034, up from 28 GWh
Additional storage and firming tenders will be launched from late 2025 to 2027
NSW has a 50 GW project pipeline, but needs faster approvals and roadblock removal
New South Wales (NSW) aims to develop 16 GW of new renewable generation by 2030, surpassing its previous 12 GW target. The plan, outlined in 2 new reports by the NSW Consumer Trustee, AusEnergy Services Limited (ASL), also calls for expanded storage capacity and accelerated infrastructure development.
Formerly known as AEMO Services, ASL also seeks 42 GWh of new long-duration storage infrastructure for the Australian state by 2034, exceeding the previous target of a minimum 28 GWh in its 2025 Infrastructure Investment Objectives (IIO) report.
To achieve these targets, NSW will launch an additional tender for firming infrastructure, including storage, demand response, and aggregated batteries, in Q4 2025. Additionally, larger tenders for long-duration storage infrastructure will be rolled out in 2026 and 2027.
NSW will also recommence its generation infrastructure tenders under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap in Q2 2026 (see NSW: AUD 32 Billion Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap).
The latest iteration of the IIO report sets out a development pathway for the state for the next 20 years and a tender plan for the next decade. This ambitious development pathway, explains ASL, aims to boost development, lower wholesale power prices, and fast-track quality projects that benefit consumers, communities, and the energy transition.
In the other report, titled NSW Generation Investment Outlook (NSW GIO), ASL assesses the state’s current’ project pipeline, estimating it as exceeding 50 GW of proposed generation capacity. Of this, 12.5 GW capacity already has development approval.
As per ASL’s assessment, both wind and large-scale solar are expected to reach approximately 10 GW of installed capacity each in NSW by 2030. While wind capacity is expected to double to around 20 GW between 2030 and 2035, large-scale solar will grow to 13 GW, while coal-fired power stations retire.
While there is no dearth of projects in the pipeline to achieve the 16 GW ambition, ASL stresses that the current project lead times won’t be fast enough unless roadblocks are addressed.
“The ambitious development pathway requires a step change in how both proponents and the broader industry accelerate development, as well as the way ASL uses its tenders for Long-Term Energy Service Agreements to incentivise fast-tracking of quality projects,” explained ASL CEO Nevenka Codevelle.
“We’ve always had a focus on financial value, and this won’t change. But what we’ve learned is that the projects with local community support and a clear approach to managing delivery risk are more likely to be delivered on time. We’re calling on developers to bring forward these projects, including those at an early stage,” added Codevelle.
Both these reports attempt to provide a 20-year energy transition plan to ensure investment certainty to investors, developers, and the industry, says ASL, as NSW seeks to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.