Planning reform and transmission top priorities for Energy Roundtable - CEC

A range of challenges and hurdles have become pressing issues that must be addressed. These include:

1. Slow transmission build which is delaying projects. Accelerating the build of critical infrastructure to get projects connected to the grid is essential and has started too late. We have learned a lot over the past three years about how to do these nation building projects better – including the fair treatment and compensation of host communities – and I look forward to all stakeholders working together to now build momentum in our transmission rollout. 

2. Slow and extended timeframes for environment and planning assessments for renewable energy projects. A 2023 report by HSF-CEIG found that over the past five years, the average approval time frame for large-scale renewable energy projects in NSW was 746 days (over two years). Worryingly – for wind projects, which are critical to keeping energy costs down for consumers in peak demand periods – it was almost 10 years (3488 days or 9.5 years). This cannot continue.

We need faster, more consistent environment and planning assessments for Renewable Energy Zones that reduce the time it takes for industry to deliver projects in these zones, while aligning with regional biodiversity outcomes to provide a fair and predictable process for all. This requires changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity (EPBC) Act to consider protections that can be achieved at a regional scale versus project by project.

EPBC Reforms

At a national level, a 2024 report found over the past six years, the average timeframe between referral and final approval for clean energy projects across Australia under the EPBC Act is approximately 476 days, with only two final approvals under the EPBC Act to-date since 2023.

The CEC will be advocating for the following six outcomes from the EPBC reforms:

1. The introduction of national environmental standards – These would clearly set out the obligations of proponents to ensure environmental benchmarks are met, which provides clarity in project design and assessment. These standards will also provided clarity on offset obligations.
2. The introduction of regional planning – These would include the creation of pro forma conditions for priority actions, and the introduction of development and conservation zones. 
3. The introduction of Environment Information Australia – as a central source of truth and keeper of a consistent set of environmental planning data
4. The establishment of an independent regulator via Environment Protection Australia (EPA) – with decision-making, compliance and enforcement powers
5. The need for a phased approach and transitional arrangements – whereby projects can opt-in to new laws depending on where they are at in their project development
6. A parallel process to help guide industry through the new laws prior to the new laws coming into effect.

We recognise that we need to bring communities on the journey regarding projects that impact them. Regional communities are hosting the infrastructure that powers our future and we must do better by them as an industry by prioritising genuine local engagement and consultation, local benefit sharing, job creation and regional investment.

ENDS

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: 

Liam Straughan
Clean Energy Council Media Officer
+61 409 470 683