07 October 2025
The NSW Independent Planning Commission has today approved the Tallawang Solar Farm project (SSD-23700028) located approximately 8 kilometres north-west of Gulgong within the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone in the Mid-Western Regional LGA.
Tallawang Solar Hybrid Pty Ltd sought approval for the 500 MW solar farm, associated mounting infrastructure and a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of up to 500 MW and storage duration of up to two hours. The project will generate enough electricity to power approximately 212,000 homes, and the BESS will enhance grid stability and energy security. Construction is expected to create approximately 420 jobs and seven ongoing operational jobs.
This State significant development (SSD) application was referred to the NSW Independent Planning Commission for determination because more than 50 public objections were made to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure during its assessment period and because Mid-Western Regional Council objected to the project.
The three-member Panel, comprising Terry Bailey (Chair), Alison McCabe and Shelley Penn AM, met with key stakeholders, conducted a site inspection and locality tour, held a public meeting where they heard from the Applicant and 16 members of the community, and received 19 written submissions.
In its Statement of Reasons for Decision, the Commission found that the project benefits from suitable access to solar resources and direct connection to the transmission network. The Commission considers that the project represents an effective and compatible use of land within the region, will support the State’s transition to a cleaner energy system, and is in the public interest.
The Commission considered concerns raised through submissions relating to land use compatibility, visual impacts, biodiversity, traffic and transport, fire risk, waste, pollution and decommissioning and rehabilitation. The Commission has imposed conditions of consent to minimise adverse impacts of the project, including requiring Tallawang Solar Hybrid to:
- prepare and implement a detailed traffic management plan in consultation with Transport for NSW, Mid-Western Regional Council and Upper Hunter Shire Council
- implement additional vegetation screening to mitigate visual impacts
- prepare and implement a fire safety study in consultation with Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and an emergency plan in consultation with FRNSW and the Rural Fire Service (RFS)
- prepare and implement a detailed biodiversity management plan which must include measures to minimise clearing and avoiding unnecessary disturbance of vegetation
- provide a temporary workers accommodation facility capable of providing accommodation for all construction personnel, including provisions for health services
- prepare a decommissioning and rehabilitation management plan to be updated throughout the life of the project.
All documents relating to the assessment and determination of this proposal can be found on the Commission’s website: https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/tallawang-solar-farm