Renewable energy
Investigating opportunities for renewable energy projects in NSW State forests
In 2021 the NSW Government amended The Forestry Act 2012 to allow renewable energy projects in softwood plantations. This change recognised that these opportunities can complement a region’s timber production in a number of ways, aligning with State and Commonwealth government initiatives to decrease carbon emissions and shift towards a renewable energy supply.
Renewable energy projects could help strengthen regional prosperity with infrastructure and employment benefits during construction and operation.
Renewable energy projects are well suited to pine plantations because they:
- have existing roads and access to transmission infrastructure
- are located in windy areas
- offer large contiguous tracts of land for strings of turbines
- are located away from residential areas — minimising impacts to communities.
Opportunities at a glance
As part of a commercial process, pine plantations near Oberon, Sunny Corner, Bondo and Orange were identified as locations to explore.
We then invited proposals from the renewable energy industry to develop concept plans for wind farms. Our review of proposals considers:
- how well the proposal can be managed alongside renewable timber
- the proposal’s renewable energy potential
- the commitment to sustainability, social responsibility and community consultation displayed in the proposals
- potential commercial benefits to Forestry Corporation and the State of NSW.
In line with the legislation, we will only consider opportunities that are in a pine plantation and with a cumulative total of less than 0.7 per cent of our pine plantation land.
Once we have reviewed the proposals, we may issue up to four forest permits to renewable energy companies.
Permits allow companies to start community consultation, investigations and, if feasible, planning.
The NSW State Government (as the approval authority) will then review the proposals and decide if they can be built.
Renewable energy companies will have to go through the same assessment and approval processes as any other proposal in NSW.
First Nations communities will also be engaged in line with NSW planning requirements and Forestry Corporation policies. We will also ensure we will meet the requirements of the Native Title Act.
Areas under consideration
Timing: Permits, planning and getting the green light
We are planning to issue permits for the investigations phase by mid-2024. Detailed assessments will start after this.
A forest permit does not guarantee an identified opportunity will move ahead. The permits would allow companies to start investigating and, if feasible, planning to develop the opportunity as a project.
Renewable energy companies will need to:
- complete wind studies
- consult with the community and stakeholders
- carry out environmental studies
- design the project
- negotiate grid connection
- seek NSW government planning approval.
We are not responsible for carrying out investigations but will work with renewable energy companies as they complete their studies and assessments.
If the opportunities prove viable and are approved by the NSW Government, there will be strict conditions imposed on the renewable energy companies to minimise impacts to the environment and community.
We expect the planning and approval process to take up to six years.