Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 5, The New South Wales (NSW) Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has approved the Pottinger Energy Park, a renewable wind energy project located in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (SW REZ), Australia. The project, a collaboration between Someva Renewables and AGL Energy, will generate up to 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy, sufficient to power approximately 830,000 typical NSW households annually.
The park will feature 247 wind turbines and a supporting battery system of 500MW/2000MWh capacity.
The energy park will include 247 wind turbines and a 500MW/2000 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery storage system. Construction is scheduled to commence in late 2026, subject to a final investment decision. The initial phase will involve building up to 140 wind turbines and a 400MW/1,600MWh battery, connecting to the Project EnergyConnect transmission network.
Jamie Chivers, managing director of Someva Renewables, highlighted the project’s significance: “Pottinger Energy Park is a transformational project that will not only play an important role in NSW’s energy transition, but also provide a major boost to communities throughout the Riverina.” The initiative follows EnergyCo’s allocation of an 831MW access right in the SW REZ in April 2025.
Developed with input from local stakeholders, the project has secured support from the Hay Shire Council and Edward River Council. A community benefits program will deliver at least A$26 million ($16.7 million) in direct contributions over 30 years, alongside additional economic advantages such as payments to landowners and job creation.
Travis Hughes, AGL’s general manager of power development, emphasized the project’s scale: “Pottinger is one of the largest renewable energy projects in AGL’s development pipeline and planning approval is a crucial milestone as we progress our plans with our development partner, Someva, ahead of a potential final investment decision in 2026.”
The Pottinger Energy Park is poised to enhance NSW’s renewable energy capacity while fostering economic growth and community development in the Riverina region.
