BY IAN CROUCH
More than $100 billion of potential projects have been proposed for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone.
The state government called for expressions of interest in December 2021, with more than 80 projects now put forward by private investors.
Commercial interest has been shown for 24 solar projects, 13 onshore and 7 offshore wind projects, 35 large-scale batteries and 8 pumped hydro projects.
The REZ takes in 11 local government areas from the Central Coast to the Upper Hunter
Energy Minister Matt Kean says together, the projects have the potential to deliver 100 gigawatts of renewable energy a year, equivalent to 10 coal-fired power stations over the same period and the strong interest shows the Hunter and Central Coast will continue to be the energy powerhouse of NSW long into the future.
"These results show that energy investors see the Hunter and central Coast as some of the best investment destinations anywhere in the country, which will translate into jobs and prosperity for the the region," Mr Kean said.
"Renewable Energy Zones are vital to ensuring the future reliability and affordability of electricity in NSW as traditional coal fired power stations close down in the coming decades," he said.
It's expected the Hunter-Central Coast REZ will be formally declared under the NSW Government's Electricity Roadmap legislation by mid-2022.
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| Renewable Energy Zones will be "vital" to ensuring reliable and affordable electricity in coming decades Picture: infrastructurepipline.org |
