Two multi-billion-dollar renewable energy projects with the potential to power over 1 million homes in peak demand have been declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) by the Minns Labor Government.
Worth more than $7 billion, the projects, if approved, would help secure the state’s clean energy future.
The projects declared are:
- The $3.5 billion Western Sydney Pumped Hydro Project at Lake Burragorang, is a ZEN Energy which will have the potential to power 500,000 homes.
- The $3.6 billion Yarrabin (Phoenix) Pumped Hydro Project near Mudgee in Central West NSW, is a ACEN Australia project which will have the capacity to power 600,000 homes.
Both projects, are in the early planning stages and are located on WaterNSW land.
A comprehensive assessment will still be undertaken on each of the projects, including public exhibition and an opportunity for submissions from the community.
The Minns Labor Government has approved more renewables projects in three years than the last twelve years combined. With approved 44 renewable energy projects have been approved since 2023 that, when built, will generate enough electricity to power 5.2 million homes.
There are currently more than 50 renewable energy, storage and transmission projects under assessment. If approved, these 13.5 GW of generation projects could produce enough electricity to power about 6 million homes.
A further 196 projects, including solar, wind, battery storage and pumped hydro projects are at various stages in the planning pipeline.
Minister for Energy and the Environment Penny Sharpe said:
“These projects will help stabilise the grid, support energy reliability during peak demand periods and underpin the transition away from coal‑fired power.
“Long‑duration storage like pumped hydro is essential to building a modern energy system that works for households, businesses and industry across NSW.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“These two pumped hydro projects could play a vital role in supporting our energy security together able to generate enough energy to power every home in Greater Perth during peak demand.
“These projects are part of a strong pipeline of renewable energy proposals that shows industry confidence in our planning system and our commitment to delivering the infrastructure NSW needs for a clean energy future.”
Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:
“Water is vital to our everyday lives and these projects could further harness it to power more than a million homes.
“Importantly WaterNSW has already conducted a number of initial assessments to make sure these projects won’t impact water security or quality and we will continue to do analysis regularly, to help inform the planning and assessment processes.”