New South Wales Approves Birriwa Solar Project

Acen Australia has received development consent from the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission (IPC) for its Birriwa solar and battery project, which will feature a 600 MW solar farm and a battery energy storage system (BESS) of the same capacity, designed to support grid stability. The AUD 1 billion project is located on 1,200 acres of grazing land near Dunedoo and aims to generate electricity for approximately 262,000 homes annually. The IPC's approval follows a thorough review process, including public hearings and community submissions, and comes with conditions to mitigate environmental impacts. Acen plans to begin construction in late 2026 or early 2027, with operations expected to start around 2029. This project marks the first generation and storage initiative approved for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, contributing to New South Wales' renewable energy goals. Acen intends to prioritize local employment and sourcing during the project's development phase.