NSW to rush through approvals for renewable energy worker accommodation
Labor hopes that by permitting new energy worker accommodation to be built, it will temper community opposition that threatens to delay large-scale wind and solar developments.
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NSW will expedite approvals for accommodation for workers building infrastructure within the state’s so-called Renewable Energy Zones (REZ), as it moves to ease community opposition to spate of zero emission projects.
NSW has set an aggressive target of transitioning from coal, outlining a plan to concentrate large-scale wind, solar and batteries within six areas known as REZs. The state government hopes that by concentrating developments, it will minimise the need for high voltage transmission lines and other supporting infrastructure.
But the plan is likely to require thousands of temporary workers, many of whom will be forced to stay within communities – stoking a housing crisis that has fuelled opposition to the developments.
In a bid to sway voters, the NSW government said it would clearly define construction worker accommodation, which would allow for streamlined approvals. Local communities will have a say in how the accommodation is used when the workers depart.
NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said the changes will help the state deliver its energy transition.
“This new policy will support more renewable projects to be delivered, by giving project proponents certainty about workforce accommodation,” said Ms Sharpe.
The move is a much-needed boost to developers and the state as it struggles to meet its transition targets. The NSW government earlier this year extended the lifespan of the state’s largest coal power station, Origin Energy’s Eraring, after accepting it does not have enough renewables in the system.
The state is moving aggressively to accelerate progress and a spate of developments are moving towards completion.
In a boost for the state, Lightsource bp – a major renewable energy developer – on Monday said it had begun construction of its 585MWdc Goulburn River solar farm, located near Merriwa.
Once finished will be one of the largest approved solar farms in the state, producing about 1.3TWh of renewable energy annually.
The developer said it had also begun construction on a large battery project known as Woolooga BESS, located near Gympie, Queensland.
Adam Pegg, Lightsource bp chief operating officer for Asia-Pacific, said the projects indicated Australia’s renewable energy edge. “Australia is perfectly positioned to deliver on its energy transition, with abundant renewable resources that not only meet domestic needs but also offer significant potential for energy exports. While there’s ongoing debate about the role of nuclear, the reality is that we have solutions today for firmed renewables – wind and solar backed by batteries – which are already proving to be the most cost-effective and reliable energy solution,” he said.
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