Acen Australia secures state approval for 1.2 GW solar, battery project

The New South Wales (NSW) Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has granted development consent for Acen Australia’s proposed Birriwa solar and battery project. If federal approval is given, the project will include a 600 MW solar farm alongside a battery energy storage system of up to 600 MW rated power with two hours of storage capacity.

The project, estimated to be worth AUD 1 billion ($667 million) and planned on a 1,200-hectare site of mostly cleared grazing land about 20 km southeast of Dunedoo within the Central-West Orana (CWO) Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), was referred to the IPC after attracting at least 50 submissions objecting to its development.

Following a site visit, public hearing, and consideration of 65 written submissions from the community, the commission granted consent to the project subject to conditions including setting solar arrays back a minimum of 30 m from the site boundaries, restricting development vehicles from using specific sections of the surrounding road network, and the preparation of soil and water management plans.

In its statement of reasons for the decision, the IPC said the proposed site is “consistent with the established strategic planning framework as it will deliver renewable energy within an established REZ that will contribute to electricity generation in NSW and contribute to the state’s renewable energy transition.”

While the project still requires approval under the federal government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, Acen said the IPC decision is a significant milestone for the site.

“Our attention will now turn to preparing for construction, including development of temporary workers’ accommodation, implementing our strategies to employ local staff where possible, and to source goods and services from local businesses,” the company said. “We anticipate construction will commence in late 2026 or early 2027, with energy generation from the project anticipated around 2029, in line with the CWO REZ timeframes.”

Acen said the Birriwa solar and battery project is the first generation and storage project approved for connection to the CWO REZ transmission network.

The project would connect to the National Electricity Market via the Merotherie Energy Hub, part of new transmission network infrastructure being developed by EnergyCo to accommodate at least 4.5 GW of new generation capacity expected to be added in the REZ.

Acen is developing several projects in the CWO REZ, including a nearby 400 MW Stubbo solar project, being built near Dubbo to the south, and the 320 MW Narragamba solar project.

Those form part of an Acen Australia portfolio that already exceeds more than 1 GW of large-scale renewable energy generation that is under construction or in operation, plus an additional

Those form part of an Acen Australia portfolio that already exceeds more than 1 GW of large-scale renewable energy generation that is under construction or in operation, plus an additional development pipeline of 8 GW of solar, wind, battery, and pumped hydro projects.

From pv magazine Australia.