National Renewable Energy Priority List
In collaboration with the states and territories, the federal government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has published the National Renewable Energy Priority List - a list of 56 projects which will provide coordinated support for regulatory planning and environmental approval processes for identified priority renewable energy projects across Australia.
The inaugural Priority List identifies 56 priority projects which - if approved through Commonwealth, state and territory regulatory planning and environmental processes - could deliver an additional 16 GW of generation and approximately 6 GW of storage capacity across the nation.
Nationally, these generation projects can provide the annual electricity needs for over 9 million homes. The storage projects could meet peak energy demand for over 5 million homes for up to 4 hours.
The priority list was drawn from a database built from multiple authoritative sources including the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) Generation Information, the Clean Energy Regulator – Renewable Energy Pipeline, and Rystad Renewable Energy Cube, supplemented with data sourced from AEMO's most current market analysis and plans, Geoscience Australia and states and territories.
To be eligible for inclusion on the inaugural priority list projects had to be greater than 30MW, pre-construction, on-grid, scheduled for completion by 31 December 2031 and key transmission projects that support the integration of renewables into the grid.
The list will be updated regularly to support continued facilitation of projects through required regulatory pathways and made public to ensure transparency. The methodology will also be reviewed in consultation with states and territories and industry.
The creation of the list will enable project support to be developed on a case-by-case basis according to the needs of individual identified projects.
This will include both support from the Commonwealth Environment Regulator, state and territory regulators and complementary programs. This support builds on commitments already agreed upon in the respective Renewable Energy Transformation Agreements.
The list also adopts a ‘faster to yes, faster to no' approach. Identified projects will receive additional support and facilitation through regulatory and environmental processes. They will still have the same scrutiny applied as any other project and continue to be required to meet all statutory requirements.
Explore the list below on Energy News Bulletin's interactive map
Major Project Status
Major Project Status enables strategically significant projects facing complex regulatory challenges to get extra support and coordinated approvals. Find out if your project is eligible and how to apply for Major Project Status.
What do major projects get?
- A single entry point for Australian Government approvals.
- Project support and coordination.
- Help with engaging state and territory facilitation agencies to navigate state and territory regulatory approvals.
Who is this for?
Developers with projects over $50 million, facing complex regulatory approval challenges, and of strategic significance to Australia.
About the program
Major Project Status is the Australian Government's recognition of the national significance of a project – for economic growth, employment, or for regional Australia, and its need for support to navigate complex regulatory approvals.
If your project gets Major Project Status, you'll get extra support from the Major Projects Facilitation Agency (MPFA). This includes help with coordination and facilitation of Australian Government approvals. Your project may need a range of approvals such as environmental, biosecurity or foreign investment approvals.
Most projects have Major Project Status for 3 years. We'd normally expect you to complete the approvals process in the 3 years.
What are the eligibility criteria?
The project needs to meet the following criteria:
- The project is of strategic significance to Australia
- The project is facing complex regulatory approvals challenges with Australian Government approvals
- The project has sufficient financial resources and is commercially viable
