South West Renewable Energy Zone

The SW REZ is one of five Renewable Energy Zones identified by the NSW Government. It coordinates investment in generation, storage, and transmission to deliver clean energy efficiently and cost-effectively across the state.
 

The Hay region offers high-quality wind and solar resources, a sparse population, strong existing and planned grid connections, and local landholder support. Its flat landscape also makes it ideal for large-scale renewable infrastructure.

• Pottinger Energy Park: Up to 900 jobs during construction, and around 50 ongoing roles once operational.
• Bullawah Wind Farm: Up to 350 jobs during construction, with ongoing maintenance and technical roles to follow.

Developers are actively seeking local suppliers for services including civil works, transport, accommodation, catering, fencing, and machinery hire. Procurement information sessions and training will be offered to help local businesses become project-ready.

Yes, during construction there will be an increase in heavy vehicle movements. Traffic management plans will be developed in consultation with Hay Shire Council to minimise disruption and maintain road safety.

Both Pottinger and Bullawah projects will contribute to a Community Benefit Fund. These funds support local initiatives in education, training, environment, health, and infrastructure.  In addition, there will be economic activity through the construction phase and up to 35 full time jobs for each project during operation.

Construction for the Pottinger Energy Park is expected to commence in late 2026, with operations beginning thereafter. The Bullawah Wind Farm's construction is scheduled to start in 2026, aiming for operational status by 2027.

Decommissioning and rehabilitation plans are mandatory. Infrastructure will be removed or repurposed, and land restored in accordance with landholder agreements and planning conditions.

All projects undergo comprehensive environmental assessments to identify and manage impacts. This includes protection of native vegetation, wildlife corridors, and First Nations cultural heritage. Consultation with Traditional Owners and local stakeholders is a key part of project planning.

Wind turbines will be sited to comply with NSW noise regulations. Visual impact assessments are conducted and mitigation strategies, such as vegetation screening, are included in final designs where necessary.

Renewables (solar, wind and backed by firming) are now the lowest-cost form of new electricity generation and the cheapest way to replace the energy we get from coal-fired power stations, which are ageing and scheduled to close.
NSW  move to renewables will deliver value for money by supplying the most affordable energy into the grid and keeping electricity bills as low as possible. By moving to renewables, NSW will reduce the state’s vulnerability to price spikes in times of high demand.

Just 0.1% of rural land (55,000 ha) in NSW is expected to be used for renewable energy production. 
With careful planning and consideration of land use, renewable energy projects can coexist with agriculture and food production. This is already happening in NSW.

Nuclear energy is very costly when compared to firmed renewables. According to the CSIRO's GenCost 2023–24 final report, nuclear energy is likely to remain two to three times more expensive per megawatt hour than other current lowest cost, large-scale firm generation technologies. This is even after accounting for the additional cost of electricity storage and new transmission build.
Currently both NSW and Australian government legislation prohibits the construction or operation of nuclear facilities for non-research purposes. Even if it were not prohibited, developing, planning, constructing and commissioning a nuclear power station is estimated by the CSIRO to take at least 15 years. Adding to this, Australia has no nuclear energy industry, workforce or regulatory system to enable this.
Given the cost and time barriers, the case has not been made for nuclear in NSW, especially as NSW will need to be ready meet the state’s energy needs in the next ten years when three out of four of the state’s coal-fired power plants are schedule to close.
That is why NSW is harnessing the state's abundant solar and wind resources and upgrading the electricity network to deliver more affordable, clean and reliable energy to every household, school, hospital, and business in NSW. 

Hay Shire Council advocates for local benefit, participates in consultation, oversees local planning impacts (like road use and housing), and ensures legacy outcomes for the community. The Hay Shire Council, together with the community developed the Fundamental Principles for Successful Renewable Energy Development in Hay  to ensure that the community was considered in every decision by both EnergyCo and the Developers. This Principles have formed the basis for the negotiations to deliver long term legacy to the community.  

Please click on the links below and click on contact us and make a submission or complaint.
Energy & Water NSW Ombudsman
Respond to IPC public enquiries 
Direct to EnergyCo 
Alert your local Council 

Transgrid has been engaged by Energy Co to deliver Project Energy Connect.
Transgrid operates and manages the high voltage electricity transmission network in NSW and the ACT, connecting generators, distributors, and major end users.
Over decades of technical excellence, Transgrid have enabled the smooth operation of 13,085km of high voltage transmission wires and 128 substations.
Transgrids network is the backbone of the National Energy Market, enabling energy trading between Australia’s three largest states along the east coast, and supporting the competitive wholesale electricity market, while leading the transition to a clean energy future.

Project EnergyConnect is a joint project between South Australia's electricity transmission network provider ElectraNet and New South Wales provider Transgrid. The Project involves building a 900 km long interconnector between South Australia and New South Wales with an added connection into Victoria.
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The Victoria to NSW Interconnector West – known as VNI West ) – is a proposed new 500 kV double circuit transmission line connecting the high voltage electricity grids in New South Wales and Victoria.
VNI West is being jointly developed with Transmission Company Victoria (TCV)   and will connect major projects EnergyConnect) ) in NSW and Western Renewables Link  in Victoria. The preferred option runs from Transgrid’s Dinawan substation north of Jerilderie in NSW to new substations proposed near Kerang and Bulgana in Victoria.