Tasmania launches consultation on state’s first REZ in “windy north west”

Tasmania has launched six weeks of consultation to finalise the boundary lines for its first Renewable Energy Zone proposed for the state’s “windy north west,” with a market offering for proponents set to follow “soon.”

The North West REZ is an area of just under 115,000 hectares proposed for on the land of the Noeteeler people, and within four municipal areas of Waratah-Wynyard, Burnie, Central Coast and Kentish (see Map above).

Tasmania energy minister Nick Duigan says the region was selected as the state’s first REZ after extensive planning and consultation. He says its proposed design is the result of 18 months of analysis and engagement with local communities.

“The North West has world-class wind resources along with the space and infrastructure for renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar farms,” Duigan said.

The minister says the REZ could also support hydrogen exports from the already majority renewables state, as well as the government’s target of 200 per cent renewables by 2040.

The North West REZ centres around major grid upgrades, known as the North West Transmission Developments (NWTD), that are considered crucial to the connection of the Marinus Link subsea cable and of new loads and renewables, including a number of large wind farms.

“Our government will underwrite transmission infrastructure between Burnie and Hampshire to support new and existing renewable energy generation projects in the region,” Duigan said last week.

At this stage, just two planned wind projects are inside the REZ boundary as it is currently proposed; Ark Energy’s up to 450MW Guildford wind farm, near Waratah, and further north the same developer’s proposed 300MW Hellyer wind farm.

The development of Marinus Link – which is in turn crucial to the so-called “Battery of the Nation” project, where Tasmania pipes excess renewables to the mainland – has been contentious, not least of all for its ballooning cost to Tasmanian energy consumers.

Also contentious are the plans for a massive $1 billion-plus, 900MW wind farm proposed for Robbins Island off north-west Tasmania, that sits outside the proposed REZ but would rely on the upgraded transmission lines and Marinus to go ahead.

Duigan says the establishment of REZs will ensure renewables are developed in the most suitable areas of Tasmania and minimise supporting transmission infrastructure.

“They can also attract industrial energy users to our state, creating more jobs for Tasmanians,” the minister said.

“Launching the consultation is the next step in delivering Tasmania’s first Renewable Energy Zone, and it is a key part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.”

Not-for-profit group Community Power Agency says Tasmania has prioritised community engagement during their scoping and investigation phase, conducting a social feasibility study through their innovative “Mapping Important Places” platform.

“This Australian first, asked locals to identify places important to them and places that could potentially host renewable energy projects, which was then considered in the planning of the REZ.

“This means that the first ‘lines on a map’ are already informed by local communities.”

The Agency’s director, Kim Mallee, who co-authored Tasmania’s Guidelines for Community Engagement, Benefit Sharing and Local Procurement says the government has prioritised “the social elements of doing renewables well.”

“Of all the States, Tasmania understands the importance and value of maintaining social licence, and it’s clear they have designed their REZ planning process with this in mind,” Mallee says.

Consultation on the proposed REZ boundary and an associated community benefits scheme will occur over the next six weeks, “with a market offering for proponents soon to follow,” the government says.