The South West Renewable Energy Zone (SW REZ) is a cornerstone of New South Wales' transition to a sustainable energy future. Spanning from the Dinawan Substation in the east to the Buronga Substation in the west, this zone is strategically positioned to harness the region's abundant wind and solar resources. The SW REZ is expected to unlock 3.56 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy generation capacity, capable of powering up to 1.6 million homes.
Key infrastructure projects within the SW REZ include:
Major Projects in the Hay
Pottinger Energy Park
- Location: Approximately 60 km south of Hay, NSW
- Developers: Someva Renewables and AGL Energy
- 115 wind turbines, a 300 MW solar farm, and a 400 MW/21600 Mwh battery energy storage system
- 831.2 MW sufficient to power up to 510,000 Australian homes.
- Workforce: Estimated 550 jobs at peak construction and 35 full-time operational roles.
Bullawah Wind Farm
- Location: Approximately 36 km southeast of Hay, NSW
- Developer: BayWa r.e. Australia
- 48 wind turbines and a battery energy storage facility
- 262 MW, sufficient to power up to 210,000 Australian homes
- Workforce: Up to 180 people at peak construction with 35 full time operational roles
Contact and Further Information
For more details or to get involved:
Stay informed about upcoming community information sessions and opportunities to participate in the region's renewable energy future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the South West Renewable Energy Zone (SW REZ)?
A: 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.
Q: Why was the Hay region chosen for renewable energy development?
A: 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.
Q: How many jobs will be created by these projects?
A:
- 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.
Q: How can local businesses get involved?
A: 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.
Q: Will the projects impact local roads and traffic?
A: 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.
Q: What is the community benefit fund?
A: 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.
Q: When will these projects be operational?
A: 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.
Q: What happens to the turbines and infrastructure at the end of the project life?
A: Decommissioning and rehabilitation plans are mandatory. Infrastructure will be removed or repurposed, and land restored in accordance with landholder agreements and planning conditions.
Q: Are there any impacts on biodiversity or cultural heritage?
A: 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.
Q: Will the projects cause noise or visual impacts?
A: 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.
Q: Are renewables making electricity more expensive?
A: 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.
Q: How will renewables affect agricultural land?
A: 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.
Q: Why don’t we go nuclear instead of renewables?
A: 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.
Q: What role does Hay Shire Council play in these developments?
A: 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 (please hyperlink and have it open in a new page) 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.