The NSW Government has identified 77,000 megawatts of renewable energy potential across the state, with the Central West NSW on the list in the top three for most suitable locations.
A total of 5,906 megawatts of renewable energy potential has been earmarked in the Central West, with space for 13 million solar panels and 555 wind turbines.
Renewable energy will lead to a potential investment of $6.4 billion for the region and the creation of 1,930 to 2,720 jobs between 2017 and 2030.
A map of planned and current renewable energy project sites in Central West NSW, according to the Nature Conservation Council Repowering Our Regions report.
Western NSW is the most desirable spot in the state, with the New England region coming in second.
According to the report the Central West includes towns from Lithgow to Dubbo, Cowra, Gilgandra and Nyngan.
In Western NSW a total of 6,803 megawatts of renewable energy potential has been earmarked, with space for 14 million solar panels and 750 wind turbines.
Nature Conservation Council Senior Climate and Energy Campaigner Dr Brad Smith said the transition from coal and gas to solar, wind and storage will attract $25 billion of investment and result in the construction of about 2,500 turbines and installation of more than 42 million solar panels around NSW.
“Our research shows four regions in NSW could be clean-energy superpowers that could replace the states five coal-burning power stations with clean energy by 2030 and export power to other states,” Dr Smith said.
The fourth region is the South East.
A map of planned and current renewable energy project sites in Western NSW, according to the Nature Conservation Council Repowering Our Regions report.
“Clean energy is by far the cheapest, cleanest and most sustainable way to meet our energy need, and it offers regional areas a very bright future.”
The report states the Central West also has the potential to be an energy-storage hub that could help balance supply and demand on a 100 per cent renewable grid.
The region has 19 operating and proposed renewable energy projects already that will generate about 1,500 megawatts.
Operating solar plants include one near Dubbo, Parkes and Manildra, with wind farms already operating outside of Bathurst, and one being constructed near Wellington.
This story Central West a hot spot for renewable energy first appeared on Daily Liberal.
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