The Albanese Government has approved a significant renewable energy project in New South Wales, with the construction of the 600 MW Birriwa Solar Farm near Dunedoo. This solar farm, which includes around 1 million solar panels and a 600 MW battery storage system, is set to generate enough energy to power 229,000 homes across NSW. The project is part of the broader Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, which recently received environmental approval for a crucial transmission line.
Reducing Emissions and Supporting Local Economies
The Birriwa Solar Farm is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year—comparable to removing over 1.8 million cars from the road annually. This initiative not only supports Australia’s renewable energy goals but also provides substantial local economic benefits, including the creation of approximately 500 construction jobs and 20 ongoing positions.
Australia’s Shift Towards Renewable Energy
This project marks another milestone in the Albanese Government’s efforts to position Australia as a renewable energy superpower. In contrast, the previous government, led by the Liberals and Nationals, saw 24 coal-fired power plants announce closures without a clear policy for replacement energy capacity. The Birriwa Solar Farm underscores Labor’s commitment to accelerating the transition to green energy, a key issue for voters in the last election.
Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, highlighted the importance of this project, stating, “Labor is transforming Australia into a renewable energy superpower, while Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan threatens renewable investments.” The Minister noted that over 55 renewable energy projects have been approved in the past two years, with the capacity to power nearly 7 million homes.
Australia’s renewable energy transition is well underway, with projects like Birriwa Solar Farm playing a crucial role in driving down energy prices and reducing the nation’s carbon footprint.
Source: miragenews.com
