The NSW Nationals have a plan to support families, back jobs, and get NSW back to the top of the pack.
A key part of that plan is delivering a more affordable, reliable, and resilient energy system that puts downward pressure on power bills and supports economic growth.
Under Labor families and businesses are struggling, energy costs continue to rise, and confidence in the state’s energy transition continues to weaken.
The Nationals will diversify the state’s energy mix by unlocking energy generation, storage, and distribution closer to where people live and businesses operate.
The centrepiece of the plan is the creation of the Sydney City Renewable Energy Zone and accelerating work to create additional zones in Newcastle and Wollongong.
These City REZs will unlock the state’s largest untapped energy resource by supporting industrial precincts, commercial buildings, apartment complexes, and local communities, to better utilise solar and battery technology, generating and storing power closer to where it is consumed.
The plan will also prioritise scoping studies and support for the Outback Renewable Energy Zone as part of a more diverse and resilient energy system for NSW. The Far West region possesses some of the state’s strongest solar resources and significant potential for renewable generation and storage.
Importantly, the Outback REZ has the capacity to unlock substantial new energy generation while supporting regional jobs, investment, and economic development.
The scope and scale of the New England Renewable Energy Zone, which is significantly over budget and behind schedule, will also be reviewed and revised.
The review will prioritise upgrades to existing transmission infrastructure and remove the need for the proposed 500kV transmission line corridor.
Nationals Leader Gurmesh Singh said under Labor, the state’s energy roadmap is becoming increasingly concentrated.
“Supporting new energy generation should not come at the expense of some of our most productive farmland. We have listened to local communities and are putting forward a practical plan that delivers energy security while reducing unnecessary impacts on landholders and the environment.”
“That’s why we’ll establish the Outback REZ. Unlike other parts of the state, the Far West offers an opportunity to expand generation in an area with lower population density and fewer land-use conflicts, helping diversify NSW’s energy supply and reduce reliance on a small number of Renewable Energy Zones.”
“The Nationals support the energy transition, but it must be cheaper, better, fairer, and carried out in partnership with local communities. That means listening when legitimate concerns are raised and being prepared to adjust the plan.”
Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said affordable and reliable energy was essential to a strong economy.
“A stronger economy requires affordable and reliable energy. If we want lower power bills, more jobs and greater economic resilience, we need to produce more energy, closer to where it is used,” Ms Sloane said.
“Families cannot get ahead and businesses cannot grow if they are paying too much for power.”
“NSW needs new generation and storage as coal retires, but the transition must be affordable, deliverable, and undertaken in partnership with communities.”
“Our plan is focused on energy security, economic resilience and lower costs for households and businesses.”
