The Clean Energy Council has urged the NSW Opposition to maintain its longstanding bipartisan support for the state’s Renewable Energy Zones, warning that winding back the New England Renewable Energy Zone would put at risk the infrastructure needed to replace retiring coal-fired power stations and keep the state’s electricity system reliable.
NSW has led the country on energy transition policy since the then-Coalition Government established the Renewable Energy Zone framework in 2020 under its Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, including the New England Renewable Energy Zone. That nation-leading reform, backed by both sides of politics ever since, has helped unlock billions of dollars in private investment across new wind, solar, battery storage and major transmission infrastructure.
That policy certainty has allowed NSW to move faster than other jurisdictions at a time when the state faces a significant challenge replacing ageing coal generation. The looming closure of Eraring, Australia’s largest coal-fired power station, alongside the gradual retirement of the rest of the state’s coal fleet over the coming decade, means replacement generation capacity must be built now.
Renewable Energy Zones are central to that task, bringing together large-scale renewable generation, battery storage and the transmission infrastructure needed to move electricity from where it is produced to homes, businesses and industry across the state.
Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Officer, Jackie Trad, said Renewable Energy Zones were fundamental to maintaining affordability and reliability as coal-fired power stations continue retiring from the system.
“Renewable Energy Zones are how NSW keeps the lights on as coal comes offline,” Ms Trad said.
“This is a framework the Coalition itself built. Unwinding it now would mean walking away from one of its own nation-leading achievements.
“At a time of increased concern about energy sovereignty, reliability and affordability, creating more uncertainty is not in the best interest of NSW, or Australians,” she said.
NSW’s commitment to Renewable Energy Zones is already delivering tangible benefits for regional communities. Recently, the state government announced an initial $60 million community benefit fund for towns hosting the New England Renewable Energy Zone, ensuring local communities begin seeing investment in their local areas before major energy projects even begin construction.
At a time of increased concern about energy sovereignty, reliability and affordability, creating more uncertainty is not in the best interest of NSW, or Australians.Jackie Trad Clean Energy Council CEO
The zone is expected to support more than 6000 construction jobs and 2000 permanent operational roles, highlighting what NSW stands to lose if policy uncertainty is introduced into projects already driving investment, jobs and long-term energy security across regional communities.
“NSW has led the nation because both sides of politics backed the same plan for years and gave investors the certainty to commit,” Ms Trad said.
“It is disappointing to see changes called for, to a nation-leading policy. Reopening it is the quickest way to push up the cost of the transition.”
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Liam Straughan
Clean Energy Council Media Officer
+61 409 470 683
Latest news
NSW Opposition urged to maintain bipartisan backing for Renewable Energy Zones as coal exits system
NSW Energy Security Corporation plugs in major battery funding commitment
Submission to AEMO on integrating price-responsive resources (IPRR) into the NEM
Proposed 2 km setback puts 26,000 Victorian jobs and future electricity supply at risk
Clean Energy Council welcomes new social and community engagement guidelines in Victoria
