Squadron Energy welcomes new legislation announced by the NSW Government to prioritise and fast‑track critical renewable energy projects through the planning system.
Speeding up approvals – while maintaining high planning, environmental and community standards – is essential for a successful transition to NSW’s clean energy future.
As coal-fired power stations retire, ensuring priority projects can move more quickly from approval to construction will be critical to maintaining reliable and affordable power.
Squadron Energy CEO Rob Wheals said a priority program for the best renewable energy projects makes energy security and economic sense with 60,000 clean energy jobs predicted to be created by 2030.
“Put simply, we need to build out renewable energy better, faster and cheaper so more NSW households and businesses start to see the benefits of the transition,” Mr Wheals said.
“Streamlining how priority projects are assessed and approved is essential if NSW is to keep pace with growing demand and the retirement of ageing coal infrastructure.
“Our Uungula Wind Farm is the only wind project under construction in NSW right now – a fact that needs to change and swiftly.
“Taking communities on the clean energy journey, not imposing it on them, is important – which is why I am pleased to see that the bill strengthens benefit sharing with regional communities,” Mr Wheals said.
About Squadron Energy
Squadron Energy is Australia’s leading renewable energy company that develops, operates and owns renewable energy assets across the country.
We are 100% Australian owned and committed to leaving a lasting legacy for the communities where we operate guided by a focus on delivering real, lasting benefits locally. We have 2 gigawatts of renewable energy in operation and under construction.