Amid what feels like a sea of government announcements this week, the NSW Labor Government has released a guidebook aimed at educating local landowners considering hosting renewable energy projects on their land.
The handbook, dubbed the NSW Renewable Energy and Transmission Guide, is designed to support landowners through negotiations with renewable energy developers, provide guidance on the permitting and project interconnection process and, in general, “demystify the energy transition.”
“This guide reflects our commitment to working with farmers, landowners and others to give them the information they need to engage confidently in renewable energy projects,” Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said on Friday.
The NSW Government created the guidebook in collaboration with the NSW Farmers and Queensland Farmers associations.
In a world increasingly rife with misinformation, coupled with the urgent need to reach net-zero carbon emissions, the creation of documents aimed at educating the general public on the benefits of renewable energy couldn’t be more important.
The guidebook launch coincided with Sharpe and Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty visiting the recently finalised Central West Orana renewable energy zone (REZ) – the first region of its kind in Australia.
The formation of the guidebook follows on from an agreement between NSW Farmers, REZ transmission operator Acerez and infrastructure planner EnergyCo, aimed at increasing communication with local landowners.
The Central West Orana REZ is expected to stimulate up to A$20 billion in private investment to the region by the end of the decade, along with the creation of around 5,000 construction jobs.
For communities hosting the REZ, the NSW Government has said it will invest up to A$128 million in local community groups and councils. Alongside the guidebook announcement, the NSW Government also published the results of the first round of grants today.
“Host communities are at the centre of the transition and should benefit from their role in it”, said Energyco CEO, Hannah McCaughey.
See this week’s episode of the SwitchedOn Australia podcast to hear an interview with grazier Tony Inder about his decision to host a giant solar farm.
