Communities in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone will receive a $128 million advance payment over the next four years for community projects and employment opportunities.
The funding is designed to deliver community benefits before new transmission and renewable generation projects commence in late 2024.
The NSW Government, led by the Minister for Energy, plans to work with local councils, community and First Nations organisations, renewable energy companies and other stakeholders over the next six months to identify and fund a range of community priorities and long-term legacy programs.
Potential projects include public infrastructure upgrades, housing, training programs, health and education initiatives, energy efficiency support, rooftop solar and First Nations programs.
Administered by NSW EnergyCo, the Community and Employment Benefit Fund will initially receive upfront funding from the Transmission Acceleration Fund, moving to access charges paid by renewable energy generators after 2028.
This model is expected to be extended to the other four Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) in NSW, in line with the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap to deliver 12GW of renewable energy generation and 2GW of storage.