The Hillview Energy Hub will make a significant contribution to replacing existing coal fired generators as they retire, offsetting around 1.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
BESS Key Facts
Status
Preparing EIS
Capacity
1000 MW/ 4000 MWh*
Investigation Area
86 ha
Connection
New England Renewable Energy Zone Eastern Hub
* Longer durations will be assessed depending on market conditions
Solar Farm Key Facts
Status
Preparing EIS
Capacity
250–300 MW
Investigation Area
~1,000 ha
Connection
New England Renewable Energy Zone Eastern Hub
Houses/ CO2 Avoided
150,000 houses powered 700,000 tonnes avoided
Wind Farm Key Facts
Status
Preparing Scoping Report
Capacity
200–300 MW
Investigation Area
~4,000 ha
Tip Height
Up to 300 m
Connection
New England Renewable Energy Zone Eastern Hub
Houses/ CO2 Avoided
150,000 houses powered 700,000 tonnes avoided
The Hillview Energy Hub will be developed in stages, with immediate priority given to the development and deployment of the Hub's 1000 MW Eastern Hub Firming Battery, followed by the development of the Hillview Solar and Wind farms. The Eastern Hub Firming Battery and Hillview Solar Farm have both submitted separate Scoping Reports in May 2024 and have commended the planning process with the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. The Hillview Wind Farm is still in the early stages of planning, with the pre-feasibility studies currently underway.
If all stages go ahead, the project could generate around 500 MW of clean electricity from the sun and wind, enough energy to power 300,000 households for 30 to 40 years.
The site will remain under agricultural management with sheep grazing beneath the solar panels and cattle grazing around the wind turbines.
The New England Renewable Energy Zone is region identified by the NSW Government as an optimal location for the concentrated, coordinated development of large scale renewable energy projects to replace retiring fossil fuel generation. The New England Renewable Energy Zone delivery will be facilitated by EnergyCo. For more information on the New England Renewable Energy Zone, visit EnergyCo's website.
ACE Power will continue to work closely with the relevant government regulators, EnergyCo, and the local community to design and develop the project.
While each stage of the Hillview Energy Hub will be developed in sequence, ACE Power hopes it will gain important synergies through the co-location of key renewable energy generation and storage on the one site – including the option to employ more local workers and supply businesses over a longer term and offer a greater share of project benefits to the local community.
Batteries play a critical role in Australia's electricity network, supporting the reliability of the energy network and moderating energy price fluctuation. Batteries absorb energy in the network in times of high supply and release the energy in times of high demand, allowing energy to be available when it is needed most. Often this involves soaking up excess solar energy during the middle of the day and then dispatching it into the morning and evening peak periods.
In addition to absorbing and dispatching energy, batteries ensure the safe and reliable operation of electricity supply. They help contribute to lower energy prices, relieve curtailment and constraints in the network and ensure a stable and reliable supply of energy during extreme events like storms or equipment failures.
NSW's electricity consumers will continue to benefit from batteries as the network continues to modernise.
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