A Pulse on NSW Planning Approvals for Clean Energy Projects 2025

Industry share their insights on the current state of NSW planning approvals for clean energy projects.

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6 11月 2025 Insight Australia

Article

We are pleased to share with you our pulse report on NSW Planning Approvals for Clean Energy Projects 2025.

The short report provides a ‘pulse’ on the current state of primary planning approval processes for renewable energy projects. It includes survey insights from nearly 40 organisations involved in delivering or financing clean energy projects–primarily solar, BESS and wind–across New South Wales (NSW), Australia and the globe.

With almost 90% of respondents highly valuing certainty and speed when choosing where to invest or deliver clean energy projects, NSW has strong incentive to consider further reforms guided by industry to support investment and its energy transition goals.

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What’s the hold up

Reform opportunities

Greater use of the CSSI pathway for State significant clean energy projects is the number one reform backed by industry which would significantly reduce approval timelines. It also does not require legislative change to implement. Projects are approved much faster under CSSI because the decision sits with the Minister and there is no trigger for Independent Planning Commission or merit review,”

Peter Briggs
Partner, Sydney

The State significant development (SSD) pathway

47% believe preparation and submission of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the stage of the SSD process that causes the greatest delay

NSW Government initiatives

57% are undecided on whether the establishment of an Investment Delivery Authority will help speed up the delivery of major clean energy projects in NSW
Most respondents said the Renewable Energy Framework has had either a positive or neutral impact on the delivery of their organisation’s renewable energy projects.
Almost 90% of respondents said they do not believe the new NSW renewable energy targets will be met.

The NSW Government has recently introduced a new Planning Systems Reforms bill to help address some of these challenges and streamline application and assessment processes, in a positive step for the sector. However, our survey suggests more can be done to support faster delivery of critical clean energy projects.”

Peter Briggs, Partner