The Albanese government has approved 2.4GW of renewable energy projects in a significant step on Australia’s path to becoming a renewable energy superpower.

The newly approved projects in New South Wales are the 1,332MW Liverpool Range wind farm near Coolah, the 700MW Spicers Creek wind farm project near Gulgong and the 372MW Hills of Gold wind farm near Nundle.

Liverpool Range and Spicers Creek are part of the Central West Orana renewable energy zone.

The projects will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 6.5 million tonnes annually, equivalent to removing more than two million passenger cars from the roads each year.

In addition to environmental benefits, the projects will create 1,340 construction jobs and 80 ongoing positions, supporting regional economic growth.

Renewables are already generating affordable and clean energy, accounting for 46% of the national grid’s demand.

The government has approved 77 renewable energy projects capable of powering ten million homes – a record in Australian history.

The approvals come with stringent conditions to protect the environment: restrictions on turbine height and location, land clearing limits and management plans for birds and bats.

Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek MP stated: ““I’ve now approved enough new renewable energy to power more than ten million homes – nearly every single Australian household. We’ve already added 15GW of renewable energy to the grid. This is what action on cost of living and climate change looks like.”

Australia’s renewable energy sector will also see a substantial boost following the announcement of 19 new projects in December 2024 under the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) Tender 1.

The projects add 6.4GW of clean energy to the national electricity market, enough to supply power to three million homes.

Located across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland, the projects mark a major step towards Australia’s 2030 renewable electricity target of 82%.