The project

The Birriwa Solar and Battery Project is a 600-megawatt renewable energy project proposed across an area of approximately 1,440 hectares (1,200 hectares approved) and (240 hectares as part of Modification Application 1 ) of mostly cleared grazing land, about 20km southeast of Dunedoo, in the NSW Central-West Orana region. It will generate enough energy to power approximately 262,000 average Australian homes.

The solar component of the project will have a capacity of around 600 megawatts (MW) and include a centralised Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) of up to 600 MW for 2 hours. The BESS will enable energy from solar to be stored and then released during times of demand. The project is proposed to connect to the Merotherie Energy Hub and the transmission line proposed by EnergyCo NSW.

The Project was approved for construction by the Independent Planning Commission in August 2024.

 

 

The site has been selected due to its ideal features – mostly flat or gently undulating land relatively free of vegetation due to historical clearing for agriculture. It is also ideally situated away from towns but is still readily accessible by road. The project site is located in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), which is being developed by EnergyCo NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.

A temporary workforce accommodation facility has been approved for the construction workforce, on the south-eastern side of Barneys Reef. It would be located approximately 1km south of EnergyCo’s Merotherie hub.

Project Approval and Modification Application
The Birriwa Solar and Battery project was approved for construction, by the Independent Planning Commission in August 2024.

The approval is a significant milestone for ACEN Australia as we progress development of our 13GW pipeline across Australia.

Since then, the project team has been finalising elements of the project to prepare for construction, that we anticipate commencing in late 2026 or early 2027.

This included considering opportunities to optimise the project’s design to support generation of 600MW of renewable energy capacity, while avoiding constraints identified during the planning process.

As a result of these opportunities and the securing of additional land, ACEN Australia is preparing to submit a modification for approval to the Department, around April 2025.

The modification application also allows us to consider an alternative access route for the construction and operation of the accommodation facility and operation of the BESS and EnergyCo’s infrastructure associated with the project; this new proposed route will be aligned with roads used by EnergyCo for CWO REZ infrastructure – meaning we can better manage the impact of construction traffic on local roads.

At a glance

  • Up to
    600MW
    installed capacity
  • Up to
    400
    jobs at peak construction
  • Up to
    15
    operational jobs
  • Power
    260k
    average Australian homes each year
  • Employ and buy
    local
    commitment
  • Contribute to NSW target of
    50%
    renewable energy by 2030

Central West Orana Region

ACEN Australia is committed to the Central-West Orana region for decades to come. Learn more about the NSW Government's Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.

Modification Application

Since the project’s approval in August 2024, the project team has been finalising elements of the project to prepare for construction, that we anticipate commencing in late 2026 or early 2027.
This has included considering opportunities to optimise the project’s design to support generation of 600MW of renewable energy capacity, while avoiding constraints identified during the planning process.
As a result of these opportunities and the securing of additional land, ACEN Australia is preparing to submit a modification application for approval to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, around April 2025.
The modification application also allows us to consider a secondary access route specifically for the construction and operation of the temporary workers accommodation facility and operation of the BESS, as well as EnergyCo’s infrastructure associated with the project; this secondary access route will be aligned with roads used by EnergyCo for access to the CWO REZ infrastructure- – meaning we can better manage the impact of construction traffic on local roads.

Community

Built on a foundation of trust and shared value, we seek to develop relationships with communities that create enduring and positive impact. Here are some of the things we are doing and have proposed to implement for Birriwa Solar following project approval.

  • ACEN Australia Social Investment Program (SIP) available to the Gulgong , Dunedoo and surrounding communities. This is ACEN Australia’s voluntary contribution available now and into construction of the project.
  • Planning Agreement with Mid-Western Regional Council, commencing at construction of the project through the end of the project life. Likely to consist of a payment to an equivalent value of 1.5% of the project’s capital expenditure to Council for the purpose of delivering and facilitating community projects and infrastructure
  • Through the payment of Access Fees to the NSW Government for access rights to planned and new network infrastructure within the Central-West Orana REZ, ACEN will make significant financial contributions to the NSW Government for investment into communities within the CWOREZ
  • Neighbour agreements so that eligible properties receive a direct benefit
  • Commitment to responsibly decommission project infrastructure at the end of project life
  • Solar panel rows and heights allows for grazing to co-exist
  • Commitment to prioritise the participation of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs)  to deliver goods and services
  • Commitment to product stewardship through environmental and social procurement that encourage circular economy outcomes
  • Addressing housing affordability and availability through a proposed temporary workers accommodation facility
  • Commitment to First Nations participation through areas such as contracting, employment, training and business innovation
  • Commitment to Learning Worker participation through areas such as traineeships and apprenticeships
  • Commitment to using local content for construction materials from Australia or New Zealand
Social Investment Program 

ACEN Australia’s Social Investment Program (SIP) is our voluntary contribution available now and into construction of the project. Funding is available to not-for profit organisations and activities that directly benefit and enhance the liveability and vibrancy of Gulgong, Dunedoo and surrounding communities.

Worker accommodation

The expected peak construction workforce for Birriwa Solar is 500. To limit the use of short-stay and/tourist accommodation in the region, ACEN Australia is planning to a build temporary workers accommodation facility to service Birriwa Solar, and potentially other ACEN Australia projects in the CWOREZ. The facility is proposed on the south-eastern side of Barneys Reef. It would be located approximately 1km south of EnergyCo’s Merotherie hub.

This option will:

  • Limit the impact on regional housing availability and affordability
  • Enable the region’s thriving tourism industry to flourish
  • Offer contracting and employment opportunities for local providers for the construction and servicing of a facility
  • Maintain the current social fabric of communities, including security and traffic by limiting the majority workforce to one location
  • Offer a positive health and well-being experience for workers through appropriate accommodation design
  • Potentially provide local government or other entities with accommodation facilities that can be re-used to meet community needs in the future

Jobs and business

We have a commitment to employ and buy locally where we can so we can keep the benefits local. With such a significant construction investment, it is anticipated that there will be many opportunities for regional businesses to be involved. Goods and services likely to be procured locally include:

First Nations participation

As a company seeking to harness wind, solar and water resources for energy today, we reflect on the contributions made by First Nations over thousands of years. We recognise the value of a better understanding of Aboriginal history and culture, and commit to meaningful participation with First Nations groups to support the protection of country, culture, and the development of their aspirations.

Central -West Orana community impacts and benefits

We are planning several projects in the NSW Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (CWOREZ) in the coming years and we are working with stakeholders and communities to balance the impacts and opportunities that a growing renewable energy industry can bring. We want to maximise local employment and business opportunities and deliver the most appropriate accommodation solutions for our workforces. Our preference and priority is to employ locally first, however current skills and labour shortages are a considerable barrier in achieving this.

DRIVING POSITIVE CHANGE FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET

We know the importance of early engagement with communities and stakeholders and are guided by industry and global standards.

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Project office
79b Herbert Street, Gulgong
Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00am – 5:00pm

Email
info@birriwasolar.com.au

Social media 
facebook.com/BirriwaSolar

Phone
1800 290 995

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