Communities in New England and the Upper Hunter will receive an initial $60 million investment to support local infrastructure, services and employment opportunities as part of the New England Renewable Energy Zone.
The funding will be delivered through a community benefits program. It will support projects that reflect local priorities and create long-term benefits alongside renewable energy development.
The funding will begin before renewable energy projects start construction. This will allow communities to see early benefits from the transition to clean energy.
Local councils and community members will provide input into how the funding program is designed and delivered.
The $60 million investment is the first stage of wider benefits expected from the New England Renewable Energy Zone. More funding will become available in the future through contributions from renewable energy projects connected to the zone.
The approach follows similar community benefit programs in other renewable energy regions. Previous projects have supported worker accommodation, water security improvements, early education services and employment programs.
These investments aim to help regional communities benefit from new jobs and economic opportunities created by renewable energy development.
The New England Renewable Energy Zone is part of a major upgrade of the state’s electricity system. It is designed to support reliable power supplies and help manage the transition away from coal-fired power.
The project is expected to create more than 6,000 full-time construction jobs and around 2,000 ongoing operational jobs in the region. It will also support employment in local manufacturing, retail, transport and service industries.
The New England Renewable Energy Zone is centred around Armidale and has some of the strongest wind resources in the state. With 8 gigawatts of network capacity, it will provide clean energy for homes and businesses as older power stations retire.