NSW launches Illawarra urban REZ with solar and battery focus

The Government of New South Wales has begun consultations for its first urban Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) in the Illawarra region, with partial delivery planned by 2030. EnergyCo, which is a Sydney-based agency responsible for REZ implementation, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Endeavour Energy, a New South Wales-based electricity distributor, to examine battery storage and grid innovation. A roundtable was held in Wollongong and has brought together representatives from industry, unions, and the community to discuss early-stage implementation. According to EnergyCo, the REZ is intended to integrate rooftop solar, small-scale batteries, and underused public infrastructure to reduce environmental and social impacts. Illawarra was chosen due to its existing energy, port, and transport infrastructure, and because it has a skilled workforce. The REZ is expected to lower wholesale electricity prices by clustering renewables and replacing coal-fired power generation.