Energy minister admits to mistakes during lagging renewables rollout

New South Wales Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has conceded that errors are inevitable in the rapid rollout of renewable energy projects, emphasizing the urgency required to meet the state's energy targets. Her admission comes after a significant incident where an Aboriginal heritage rock shelter near Mudgee was irreparably destroyed during the construction of transmission infrastructure for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

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That was something that should never have happened.

An investigation by the consortium ACEREZ, responsible for the construction, identified "failures in site design and on-site construction protocols" as the cause of the destruction. Sharpe expressed her dismay, stating, "That was something that should never have happened." She underscored the importance of trust with communities, particularly First Nations groups, asserting, "You cannot build trust with communities if we don't do what we say we're going to do."

Sharpe acknowledged that the development of the Central-West Orana REZ has been "way too slow." She explained that the rapid pace of construction, while necessary, increases the likelihood of mistakes. "We are seeing more projects being approved and coming out of the system, which is very welcome," she added, highlighting progress despite the challenges.

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You cannot build trust with communities if we don't do what we say we're going to do.

Meanwhile, local farmers are urging the government to prioritize their concerns. Dubbo mixed farmer Emily Blackburn implored the state government to "pause, plan and treat landholders fairly and listen to communities," expressing the "fear, the angst" felt within her local community. She believes there is "avoidable harm in the rollout."

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There is avoidable harm in the rollout.

To address some of these concerns and encourage technological adoption, Sharpe announced a new $1.4 million Smart Funding Program. This initiative will provide grants to farmers within the Central-West Orana REZ, covering 70% of the cost of eligible agricultural technologies, up to $35,000. The program aims to help farmers with the upfront costs of technologies like drones and water sensors, ensuring that communities hosting renewable energy infrastructure see tangible benefits.

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We're ensuring communities hosting critical renewable energy infrastructure see tangible benefits.