We are pleased to see the NSW State Minister for Energy, Matt Kean, today announced plans for an 8,000MW renewable energy zone in the New England region – a follow on from the successful Central West Orana REZ.
Until recently, the NSW Government has been rightly criticised for its lack of a renewable energy target but this project will put them well on track, replacing power lost when NSW’s ageing coal generators retire in the next 10-15 years.
Minister Kean described renewables as the cheapest and best option to replace coal which, according to their chart, means coal generation will disappear in NSW by 2041-42.
Nationals leader and deputy premier in NSW, John Barilaro, a known supporter of nuclear power, was there in lockstep at the press conference but no sign of Barnaby Joyce apparently. The New England MP said in February the NSW move to renewables was about garnering Green preferences and that it would chase tourists away.
Here is what Minister Kean says
The New England REZ is expected to attract $12.7 billion in investment, support 2,000 construction jobs, and 1,300 ongoing jobs – all while lowering energy prices and future-proofing the regions,” Barilaro said in the joint statement
Regional NSW is the best place in Australia for renewable energy investment and the jobs it creates, and this funding allows us to unlock that potential.
Hopefully the anti renewable idealogues and their friends in the Murdoch media will finally get it.