More than $40 billion in projects proposed for Illawarra REZ
Four hydrogen production and two hydrogen electricity generation projects are amongst the registered industry expressions of interest for large-scale energy and green manufacturing projects
Minister for Energy Matt Kean said 44 projects were registered – including offshore and onshore wind, solar, energy storage, pumped hydro, green hydrogen and green steel – potentially delivering 17 gigawatts of generation and storage capacity.
“The response has been tremendous, with particularly strong interest in offshore wind, energy storage technologies and green hydrogen,” Mr Kean said.
Registered industry interest includes more than $35 billion in potential investment from:
- 10 wind generation projects, with 8 located offshore, totalling 12.9 gigawatts of generation capacity;
- 5 solar projects;
- 16 energy storage projects including 11 batteries;
- 4 pumped hydro projects;
- 4 hydrogen production and two hydrogen electricity generation projects; and
- 3 new load projects including green steel manufacturing.
“The Illawarra has a proud history of manufacturing and the REZ will only build on this legacy, with ROI projects including emerging manufacturing industries such as green steel production,” Mr Kean said.
The information provided through the ROI will be used by the Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) to inform the timing, capacity, design and location of the Illawarra REZ and is the first step in engaging with industry on its design.
EnergyCo will be engaging closely with industry, local government, local communities and other stakeholders as it progresses the design and delivery of the REZ.
The Illawarra REZ is expected to be formally declared under the NSW Government’s Electricity Roadmap legislation by the end of 2022.
