New South Wales declares Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone

It is the last REZ under the government’s electricity roadmap to be declared.

The New South Wales (NSW) Liberal and Nationals Government has declared the fifth and final renewable energy zone (REZ) that would help in ensuring the state’s clean energy.

In a statement, NSW declared the Illawarra REZ which is expected to power existing and emerging industries including offshore wind, green hydrogen and green steel production.

“The Illawarra is an ideal region to host a REZ, thanks to its existing energy, port and transport infrastructure, its highly skilled workforce and strong demand from existing industries to decarbonise,” said Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean.

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The REZ covers the coastline from Wollongong to Shellharbour and around Dapto which will encompass existing infrastructure such as Port Kembla, Dapto Substation and the Tallawarra Power Station.
The zone can tap over 17 gigawatts (GW) and over A$43b of private investment in wind, battery storage, pumped hydrogen, hydrogen and new load projects such as green steel manufacturing.

““This is a huge win for the Illawarra with projects registering their interest showing a potential to create more than 8,300 jobs, not including the huge employment potential of offshore wind,” Kean said.

The other REZs in the region that are identified under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap are the Central-West Orana, New England, South West, and Hunter-Central Coast.