NSW Farmers is moving agriculture ahead of the energy transition with a new working group to help manage the shift to renewable energy sources.
The Energy Transition Working Group will look at the challenges and opportunities arising from the significant amount of new energy infrastructure earmarked for regional NSW as part of upcoming Renewable Energy Zones (REZs).
Working Group chairman Reg Kidd from Orange said it was all about getting the settings right for the communities at the heart of development.
“We absolutely support a transition to renewable energy generation, but we need to ensure that impacts are minimised, benefits are captured in the regions and opportunities aren’t missed,” Mr Kidd said.
“The NSW Government has set out to completely transform our energy system within 15 years, which is about half the time our current grid took to build – we must make sure the needs of agriculture and regional NSW are not overlooked in the fast-tracking of this ambitious goal.”
Mr Kidd said high levels of investor interest coupled with co-ordination from government could bring opportunities to drive higher standards.
“The Central West Orana REZ is oversubscribed with developer interest at nine to one, meaning there is a real opportunity to be selective with the projects that are approved and compel proponents to adopt the highest possible standards,” Mr Kidd said.
“Government is going to get to choose which projects go ahead, and we want to make sure the things that matter to agriculture and regional communities are part of that criteria.”
Mr Kidd said factors such as location, commitments to local jobs and procurement, benefit sharing, community engagement, decommissioning and end of life arrangements should all be considered. Furthermore, the Working Group was also very interested in reform to the NSW planning system to better protect and retain the state’s finite agricultural land.
“Whether it’s energy developments or transmission lines, we need good strategic planning that recognises the value of agricultural land and protects it for future generations,” Mr Kidd said.
“Planning decisions based on cost alone are short-sighted and will come at the expense of regional NSW.
“The bulk of the energy transition will take place in the regions, and for it to be successful it needs the support of those communities – so we are inviting government to work with us to achieve just that.”
