Regulatory information about the Central-West Orana REZ

A key element of the rollout is the declaration of Renewable Energy Zones (REZ), which are sites where renewable energy infrastructure (such as wind, power and batteries) will be grouped and connected via a new or upgraded transmission network to NSW’s existing electricity grid. 

After detailed state-wide geospatial mapping 2018, along with coordinated community consultation, the NSW Government declared five NSW REZs. 

The Central-West Orana REZ was formally declared by the Minister for Energy and Environment under section 19(1) of the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020 (the Act) and published in the NSW Gazette on 5 November 2021. The declaration is available here. 

The REZ declaration was the first step in formalising the REZ under the Act and established EnergyCo as the Infrastructure Planner responsible for its coordination. It also set out the intended network capacity (size), geographical area (location) and infrastructure that will make up the REZ and enabled the scope of key legislative functions under the Act, including access schemes and REZ network solutions (referred to in the Act as ‘REZ network infrastructure projects’). 

The declaration followed an assessment of feedback received during the draft declaration exhibition period from 17 September to 15 October 2021. As all points raised were addressed, no changes were made between the draft and (final) declaration order. 

Download the Central-West Orana REZ geographical area GIS file

The declaration included the ability for the Minister to amend a REZ declaration if required. Two amendments have been made to the Central-West Orana REZ, one in 2023 and another in 2024.  

December 2023 amendment 

In December 2023, the Minster for Energy increased the intended network capacity of the Central-West Orana REZ from 3 gigawatts (GW) to 6 GW, noting it will initially operate at 4.5 GW. 

This was following the identification for a network capacity increase in the Network Infrastructure Strategy for NSW to address rising demand for electricity. The strategy outlined options to increase the network capacity of the Central-West Orana REZ from 3 GW up to 4.5 GW initially under Stage 1, and to 6 GW by 2038 under Stage 2. This was consistent with modelling by the Consumer Trustee in its draft 2023 Infrastructure Investment Objectives Report showing more network capacity will be needed to meet NSW’s future energy needs as coal-fired power stations progressively retire. 

The capacity increase does not increase the scope of the Central-West Orana REZ transmission corridor. Extensions are not currently proposed and would be subject to separate planning and regulatory approval processes. The amended declaration can be viewed here. 

April 2024 amendment 

In April 2024, the NSW Government updated the Central-West Orana REZ declaration to provide a more detailed outline of the overall network infrastructure for the REZ. This network infrastructure is crucial for connecting the REZ to the wider NSW electricity grid, ultimately benefiting consumers across the State.