<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/wind-projects-paying-up-to-100-million-for-state-planning-approvals-thanks-to-long-distance-objectors/>
"Navigating a wind farm proposal through the New South Wales state planning
approvals process can take years and add up to $100 million to the cost of a
project, a new survey has found.
The survey of 67 representatives from nearly 40 clean energy developers and
financiers was conducted by legal firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF
Kramer) as part of research into the NSW state significant development (SSD)
process – the primary approval pathway for major clean energy projects in the
state.
HSF Kramer says that two-thirds (67%) of survey participants identified
assessment under the SSD planning framework as a greater source of delay than
the federal process of assessment under the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
“State significant wind and solar energy projects can take up to 12 months on
average to prepare and lodge a scoping report with the NSW Department of
Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) to commence the formal assessment
process,” the report says.
“And, in the last five years, average approval timeframes in NSW add another
1,167 days for wind and 993 days for solar with battery energy storage systems
(BESS).”
But it is the eye-watering potential costs of the NSW SSD process that deliver
the biggest sting – and come in much higher than for most clean energy projects
in other states and territories.
And on this count, it is wind projects that are fielding the highest bills.
According to the survey findings, onshore wind energy projects, including those
with a BESS, are paying up to $25 million for obtaining SSD consent in NSW,
with some projects reaching up to $100 million, HSF Kramer says here.
The extended delays, and associated added costs, often come down to projects
being referred to the state’s Independent Planning Commission, an extra step
that is triggered when a project attracts more than 50 public submissions
objecting to the proposal.
Renew Economy regularly writes about wind, solar and battery projects that
have been referred to the IPC, often sent there by objections from parties that
live more than 100km from the proposed development, or even outside of NSW.
The AGL Energy-Someva Renewables Pottinger wind and battery project, for
example, was referred to the IPC because it received 83 objections, 77 of which
came from people living more than 50 kms away, as well as interstate. There
were nine submissions from locals, and all supported the project."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
