Tasmania launches consultation on first renewable energy zone – pv magazine Australia

May 28, 2024 Ew Foley

The Tasmanian Government has launched a consultation period on its proposed North West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), which is expected to unlock at least 1GW of additional solar, wind, hydrogen and energy storage projects.

The proposed north-west REZ is to be established south of Burnie, covering 114,000 hectares and covering parts of four local government areas including Waratah-Wynyard, Burnie, Kentish and Central Coast.

State-owned utility TasNetworks said the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) had identified the area as a high-priority renewable energy zone with “excellent potential for the development of energy projects to produce, store and distribute renewable energy on-demand”, in including large-scale energy projects. wind farms, pumped storage plants and energy storage.”

The region is also home to the expected connection point for the Marinus Link, a proposed 1,500MW subsea and underground electricity interconnector that will connect Tasmania with Victoria.

Tasmania’s Energy Minister Nick Duigan said the location of the proposed REZ was the result of 18 months of analysis and collaboration with communities and industry.

“The Northwest has world-class wind energy resources along with space and infrastructure for renewable energy projects such as wind and solar farms,” he said, adding that the consultation represents the next step in the implementation of the REZ, which is a key part of the Future of Clean Energy project state.

As of 2020, Tasmania is able to meet 100% of its electricity needs with renewable energy, but the state’s electricity demand is growing.

“Tasmania’s population is growing and so are our energy needs, which is why we are creating a renewable energy zone as part of our strong plan for Tasmania’s future,” Duigan said. “Renewable energy zones will coordinate and support the development of renewable energy generation in the most suitable areas of Tasmania and minimize supporting transmission infrastructure.”

“This will enable us to meet demand while also creating new jobs and economic opportunities for the state.”

As part of the creation of the North West REZ, the Tasmanian Government is to work with TasNetworks to make progress on the development of new transmission infrastructure between Burnie and the Hampshire Hills. The proposed works include modernization of existing transmission lines,
new transmission lines and new electrical substations.

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

Consultations on the proposed north-west boundary REZ and associated social benefits scheme will take place over the next six weeks, with supporters having the opportunity to see what is on offer.