ACEN Australia’s ambitious plan to build a 600 MW solar farm coupled with a 600 MW/1,200 MWh battery energy storage system has taken a significant step forward. The New South Wales Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has granted approval for the Birriwa solar and battery project, paving the way for this large-scale renewable energy endeavor.
The project, estimated at AUD 1 billion (USD 668 million), is set to be developed on mostly cleared grazing land approximately 20 kilometers southeast of Dunedoo, within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). Despite facing opposition, with over 50 submissions lodged against it, the IPC’s decision followed a thorough review process that included a site visit, public hearings, and the assessment of 65 written community submissions.
Approval for the project comes with several conditions, including maintaining a minimum 30-meter setback for solar arrays from site boundaries, limiting the use of specific road sections by construction vehicles, and preparing comprehensive soil and water management plans.
In its justification, the IPC stated that the site selection aligns with strategic planning goals, emphasizing that the project will contribute to New South Wales’ renewable energy targets by delivering substantial clean energy within an established REZ.
While the project awaits final approval under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, ACEN Australia considers the IPC’s consent a major milestone. The company is now shifting focus toward construction preparations, including the development of temporary worker accommodations and strategies to hire local staff and source materials from nearby businesses. ACEN anticipates construction to begin in late 2026 or early 2027, with the project expected to start generating power around 2029, in line with the CWO REZ’s timelines.
The Birriwa solar and battery project is notably the first to receive approval for connection to the CWO REZ transmission network. The project will be linked to the National Electricity Market via the Merotherie Energy Hub, part of a new transmission infrastructure being developed by EnergyCo to support the REZ’s planned 4.5 GW of additional generation capacity.
ACEN’s involvement in the CWO REZ doesn’t stop at Birriwa; the company is also developing the 400 MW Stubbo solar project near Dubbo and the 320 MW Narragamba solar project. These initiatives contribute to ACEN’s growing Australian portfolio, which already includes over 1 GW of large-scale renewable energy generation under construction and operation, with a further 8 GW of solar, wind, battery, and pumped hydro projects in the pipeline.
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