The $1 billion solar and battery project that has been approved outside Dunedoo will provide enough energy to power 262,000 homes, and is expected to create 500 jobs at peak construction.

The Birriwa Solar and Battery Project received the green light from the Independent Planning Commission last month, and once completed will include a 600 megawatt solar project and a battery energy storage system that can supply an additional 600 megawatts of on demand energy to the grid over a two hour period. 

It will be located on about 1,300 hectares of mostly cleared grazing land, on a site 20 kilometres south east of Dunedoo. 

A spokesperson for project owners ACEN Australia said the location was guided by discussions with the local community, project stakeholders, as well as the findings of our environmental, social and economic assessments. 

“We have been talking to local landholders and the community about the project since 2019,” they said.

“We began detailed investigations including site surveys, agricultural, aboriginal cultural heritage, biodiversity and traffic and employment impact assessments from about 2021. 

“After receiving feedback from the community and other government agencies, we decided to amend the project to include a temporary workers accommodation facility designed to host the workforce required for our project. 

“This will help better manage demand for accommodation on nearby towns like Gulgong, Dunedoo and Mudgee.”

The accommodation will be needed for the 500 workers needed during peak construction.

“This includes workers to install the solar tracking and panels, construction of roads, traffic control, fencing and electrical work and other engineering and design roles." 

Dunedoo is set to benefit from the $1 billion project and influx of construction workers.

In welcome news for locals, the company says, “We will be prioritising wherever possible the employment of local workers, suppliers and businesses.”

Construction is expected to begin in late 2026, or early 2027.

“We would expect it to be fully operational by 2030, with around 15 full time workers on site,” ACEN said. 

Approval welcomed

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) welcomed the approval. 

“This $1 billion project will deliver considerable economic benefits to regional NSW. Up to $15 million will also be reinvested back into local councils (or 1.5 per cent of capital expenditure) through voluntary planning agreements,” a spokesperson for the Department said. 

“Renewable energy developments like the Birriwa Solar and Battery project are critical to securing NSW’s energy future. The wider Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone will continue to increase its renewable energy production over the coming years as ageing coal-fired power stations are decommissioned.”