Mrs Hughes has started work as the regional renewable energy manager to support the seven councils across the South West REZ to identify opportunities, manage risks and engage with a wide range of stakeholders participating in the REZ development.
The role, funded by an EnergyCo commissioning agreement, reports to the South West REZ Regional Renewable Energy Response Committee (RRERC).
One of the key purposes is to provide a connection between the local councils to share learnings, experiences and ideas about renewable energy opportunities and impacts.
By leading a coordinated local government response to the South West REZ, the role will support a whole-of-REZ approach to planning, infrastructure, resources, workforce, housing, and community outcomes through proactive engagement.
Mrs Hughes said the three-year appointment also serves as an educational role, critical to create linkages and increase efficiencies.
“The role is so varied and involves engagement with stakeholders including developers, government agencies, communities and all seven councils,” she said.
“In the first few weeks it was really important to go out and meet with each council - it has been great to get out there and do that initial engagement.
“We’re problem solving and sharing information between all councils across the REZ in real-time.
We are now bringing everyone together and benefiting from the vast experience across the REZ to fill the gaps in knowledge (big and small) to provide better guidance for councils.
“It is better to put our heads together, share the load and have one voice when talking to stakeholders regarding the big issues.
“This will help us identify real opportunities for our communities, benefiting them in the long run.”
The South West REZ stretches from Dinawan Substation near Jerilderie in the east, to the Buronga Substation in the west.
The projects will add 3.56 gigawatts of generation capacity to NSW's grid and include:
• Two new overhead powerline transmission lines – Project EnergyConnect and Victoria NSW Interconnector West (VNI West); and
• Four renewable energy projects, including wind, solar and battery storage infrastructure.
The four renewable energy projects granted right of access in the REZ are Bullawah Wind Farm ( from p[roject proponent BayWa R.E.), the Yanco Delta Wind Farm (Origin Energy), Pottinger Energy Park (Someva Renewables and AGL) and the Dinawan Energy Hub (Spark Renewables).
