More than 9000 jobs and $32 billion of private investment is expected to roll into the regions by 2030, under the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.
The roadmap lays out the government’s 20-year plan to deliver Renewable Energy Zones, energy storage such as pumped hydro, and on-demand supply like gas and batteries, needed to reduce emissions and provide cheap, reliable electricity across the State.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the roadmap will deliver Australia’s first Renewable Energy Zones in the Central West and New England regions by 2030.
“The stimulus the Renewable Energy Zones will provide to regional communities will unlock over 9000 new jobs and will be a huge boost to farmers and land owners, with $1.5 billion in lease payments expected to go to landholders hosting new infrastructure by 2042,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The roadmap will make sure that renewables are developed where regional communities want them and where they are compatible with farming.”
The Roadmap will grow the economy, create jobs, and deliver an expected $32 billion of private sector investment in electricity infrastructure by the end of the next decade. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, not only is the government stimulating the economy to create jobs now, it is looking toward the reforms NSW needs to secure our future.
Cheaper power for the future
The roadmap will support the private sector to bring 12 gigawatts of renewable energy and 2 gigawatts of storage, such as pumped hydro, online by 2030. The priority is to keep the lights on and get power prices down, with the roadmap forecast to save NSW households an average of $130 and small businesses an average of $430 on their electricity bills each year.
NSW has some of the best natural resources in the world and this roadmap is about acting now to leverage our competitive advantage and to position NSW as an energy superpower.
NSW Nationals Water Minister Melinda Pavey said the roadmap includes $50 million in grants to support the delivery of pumped hydro projects.
“Pumped hydro is a proven form of large-scale storage and NSW has some fantastic pumped hydro opportunities,” Ms Pavey said.
“This plan delivers the long term certainty needed for the private sector to invest now and drive jobs and investment in the regions.”
Regional benefits
NSW Nationals Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said the roadmap cements the region as the renewable hub of the future.
“Our community is thrilled to have the state’s first Renewable Energy Zone right here in the Central West unlocking opportunities for jobs and investment that will be the foundation for our future prosperity,” Mr Saunders said.
The roadmap sets out a plan to modernise the state’s electricity infrastructure by:
- Cutting red-tape and speeding up approvals for transmission infrastructure in Renewable Energy Zones, while protecting the interests of consumers,
- Creating a long term investment signal for new generation in Renewable Energy Zones, long-duration storage such as pumped hydro, and on-demand supply, like gas and batteries, and
- Making sure that renewable projects proceed where local communities want them and in ways that are consistent with farming.
For further information and to view the roadmap visit: https://energy.nsw.gov.au/government-and-regulation/electricity-infrastructure-roadmap.
