40 GW RE Capacity For NSW REZ

• NSW reports receiving interest for almost 40 GW of renewable energy capacity for its Hunter-Central Coast REZ
• Worth AUD 100 billion investment, the interest has been registered for 24 solar energy projects, 13 onshore wind, 7 offshore wind, 35 large scale batteries and 8 pumped hydro facilities
• EnergyCo said the government may formally declare the REZ in the state's Electricity Roadmap legislation by mid-2022

The New South Wales (NSW) government has announced receiving interest for almost 40 GW of renewable energy capacity worth over AUD 100 billion, comprising 24 solar energy projects, in response to the registration of interest (ROI) for its Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

The ROI for the 4^th out of 5 REZs planned by NSW was launched in December 2021, and also sought information from businesses with new large electrical loads that are not yet operational (see NSW Call For Hunter-Central Coast REZ).

Apart from solar energy, interest has been expressed by developers for 13 onshore and 7 offshore wind energy projects, 35 large scale batteries and 8 pumped hydro projects. All of this together if and when realized can generate more than 100,000 GWh of renewable energy annually, equivalent to the annual output of up to 10 coal fired power stations, according to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

The Hunter and Central Coast regions are high on renewable energy resources along with the opportunity to utilize existing power stations, rehabilitated mining land, with access to electricity network, port and transport infrastructure and skilled workforce, according to the state administration.

Information collected through the ROI will enable the Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) to set timing, capacity and boundaries of the Hunter-Central Coast REZ. It is expected to be formally declared under the state's Electricity Roadmap legislation by mid-2022.

Recently, it announced receiving interest for more than 34 GW renewable energy for the South-West REZ, and with the addition of Hunter-Central Coast REZ, the total interest received for all 4 REZs amounts to 135 GW (see Over 34 GW For NSW's South-West REZ).

"Renewable Energy Zones are vital to ensuring the future reliability and affordability of electricity in NSW as traditional coal fired power stations close down over the coming decades," said Treasurer and Energy Minister of NSW Matt Kean.

Recently, Rystad Energy's Senior Analyst, Renewables Research David Dixon counted all Australian utility PV and wind assets as generating 3,628 GWh in January 2022, that's 17% more on an annual basis. NSW was the top performing state in Australia, generating 995 GWh from utility scale PV alone accounting for 535 GWh, he stated in a LinkedIn post.