Farming communities have welcomed the investment of an extra $380 million in funding to increase wind, solar and storage projects in the state's renewable energy zones, Which include the Hunter.
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The funding, to be announced in Tuesday's budget, will aid the construction of renewable energy plants in the state's Central-west, New England, Riverina, Illawarra and Hunter regions.
It brings the total set aside by the state government for the renewable energy zones to more than half a billion dollars.
"We congratulate NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean for setting the state up for a clean energy transition as the state's coal-fired power stations reach their end of life," Farmers for Climate Action chief executive Fiona Davis said.
"Protecting prime agricultural land from coal and gas developments - which increase emissions - is a priority.
"Farmers are ready to help lead the clean energy transition, as climate change means agriculture has to produce more from less."
Energy Minister Matt Kean said the funding package was the biggest government investment in large-scale renewable energy in the state's history.
"We have the most ambitious renewable energy policy in the country," Mr Kean said. "With four of our five coal-fired power stations due to reach the end of their technical lives in the next fifteen years, we are on the clock to replace them before they close to keep the lights on and prices down."
The Hunter's highly skilled workforce, proximity to major power transmission infrastructure and portfolio of existing and potential renewable projects make it a logical renewable zone.
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Farmers for Climate Action Chair, Charlie Prell said the renewable projects must work with and share the benefits with the regional communities they are located in.
"It's encouraging to see the state government plan for the transition to a net zero economy, as the federal government puts public money towards gas projects," he said.
"Farmers want to lead the transition to a net zero economy in Australia and have already been adapting their practices for decades to adapt to and mitigate climate change."
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The budget funding boost is consistent with key recommendations of the Productivity Commissioner Peter Achetstraat's recently released White Paper which highlights the importance of a reliable, sustainable and productive supply of energy for NSW."
It builds on more than $110 million of funding commitments, including $40 million for the Central West-Orana REZ and $79 million for the New England REZ.
The NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap is the NSW government's legislated plan to bring online 12 gigawatts of renewable energy and 2 gigawatts of storage by 2030.
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