The Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) has an intended capacity of one gigawatt of renewable energy generation. The REZ is to be developed in the region between and around Muswellbrook and Newcastle, and the northern areas of the Central Coast.
The capacity of the REZ is expected to increase over time with the retirement of coal-fired power stations, re-purposing of mining land, and the growth of offshore wind.
The Federal Government has identified a potential Commonwealth Offshore Wind Area off the coast of the Hunter which may utilise the transmission infrastructure constructed as part of the REZ.
Key Dates
| Dec 2021 | ROIs for the development of projects in the REZ opened. |
| Feb 2022 | ROIs for the development of projects in the REZ closed. |
| Dec 2024 | Preferred network operator selected |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | EnergyCo |
| Shortlist: | Ausgrid |
| Procurement note: | EnergyCo has signed a commitment deed with Ausgrid to deliver the network infrastructure needed for the Hunter-Central Coast REZ. As network operator, Ausgrid will be responsible for financing, designing, constructing, operating and maintaining the Hunter-Central Coast REZ network infrastructure. John Holland has been selected by Ausgrid as delivery partner for the project. |
| Related contracts: |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Dec 2021 | EnergyCo NSW opened Registrations of Interest for generation and storage projects, and network development projects in the REZ, closing on the 4th of February 2022. |
| Feb 2022 | The NSW Government announced that 24 solar energy projects, 13 onshore and seven offshore wind energy projects, 35 large-scale batteries, and eight pumped hydro projects were received during the ROIs process, amounting to 40 gigawatts. |
| Dec 2022 | The NSW Government formally declared the Hunter Central-Coast REZ and established EnergyCo as the Infrastructure Planner. The declaration confirmed the scope of the geographical area from the Upper Hunter to Cessnock, Maitland, Newcastle, and Lake Macquarie. |
| Oct 2023 | EnergyCo has called for Expressions of Interest to engage large scale renewable energy generator and storage project developers as Generator Design Partners for the early design and development phases of the REZ, closing on 27 November. |
| Dec 2024 | EnergyCo released its inaugural Corporate Strategy, which included a goal to have the Hunter-Central Coast REZ complete by 2030. |
| Dec 2024 | EnergyCo selected Ausgrid as the preferred network operator for the Hunter-Central Coast REZ, signing a commitment deed. |
| Dec 2024 | Ausgrid has awarded a $140 million contract to Genus to deliver early services and construction works for the project. Separately, John Holland was selected by Ausgrid as delivery partner for the project. |
2022/12/06 Renewable Energy Zone (Hunter-Central Coast) Order
