Business opportunities in CWO REZ
The Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (CWO REZ) covers over 20,000 square kilometres around Dubbo, Dunedoo, and Mudgee and aims to generate over 6 gigawatts of renewable energy through wind, solar, and battery projects. It will generate $20 billion of private investment and around 5,000 jobs at peak construction.
These projects provide a wide variety of opportunities, including:
- Civil and construction works
- Electrical projects
- Services such as accommodation and hospitality
- Maintenance opportunities
- A broad range of materials supply
Construction and civil
Bridge construction, civil works, concrete work, demolition, drainage, electrical works and components, fencing, piling, temporary barriers, traffic management, welding, line marking and removal, precast concrete
Land works
Clearing and grubbing, earthworks, landscaping, revegetation
Services
Training services, cultural awareness training, cleaning, laundry services, employment support services, printing, surveying, photography
Other
Catering, graphic design, labour hire, painting, paving, plant and equipment hire, security, signage, truck hire and haulage, transport services, cattle grids, gates and fence supply, venue hire
This page aims to provide businesses with a full listing of active projects and others in the pipeline. It provides links to support services to help you get ready to bid for work and provides updates on business briefing sessions with proponents.
Active projects
Within the CWO REZ, EnergyCo and other proponents of major projects are committed to ensuring local communities have an opportunity to participate in building the infrastructure that will support the REZ. This landing page aims to be a central database with the status of each project and main contact listed for local procurement opportunity.
Apsley Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council
Status: Approved
Target completion date: 2026
Project Owner: Ace Energy
Email: info@apsleybess.com.au
Website: ACEnergy
Forest Glen Solar Farm
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council
Status: Approved
Estimated operation start: 2026
Project Owner: X-ELIO
Orana Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council
Status: Approved
Target completion date: 2027
Project Owner: Akaysha Energy
Name: Jasmine Kerameas (Community Engagement Manager)
Email: community@akayshaenergy.com
Phone: 1300 530 923
Website: Orana BESS Project | Akaysha Energy's Sustainable Storage Solutions
EPC Contact: Peter Mowat, CPP
Email: pmowat@conpower.com.au
Phone: 0438 483 211
Maryvale Solar Farm
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council
Status: Approved
Target completion date: 2027
Project Owner: Gentari
Contact: Patricio Munoz (Community and Stakeholder Engagement Manager)
Phone: (02) 8405 7963
Email: community@gentari.com.au
Website: Maryvale Solar Farm
Uungula Wind Farm
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council
Status: Approved
Target completion date: 2026
Project Owner: Squadron Energy
Contact: Bart Sykes (Regional Economic Development Manager)
Email: bart.sykes@squadronenergy.com
Website: Uungula Wind Farm, NSW | Squadron Energy
EPC Contact: Justin Davies, NACAP
Email: j.davies@nacap.com.au
Phone: 0439 269 042
Wellington South Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) - SHELL
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council
Status: Approved
Target completion date: 2027
Project Owner: AMPYR Australia Pty Ltd
Email: info@wellingtonbess.com
Website: Wellington BESS
During construction of the REZ, a number of temporary workers camps and smaller workers accommodation will be built. There are business opportunities in both construction and servicing once operational.
Merotherie Worker Camp - Construction
Status: In planning
Target completion date: 2026
Contact: Ian Seymour (DB Building Projects Team – Project Manager)
Email: admin@dbbuildingprojects.com.au
Phone: 0406 387 230
Website: Projects – DB Building Projects
Merotherie Worker Camp - Servicing
Status: In planning
Most projects will involve road construction and upgrades. Procurement will be part of the renewable project. Separately, there are 19 projects as part of the Port to REZ project, being managed by EnergyCo. A contractor has been engaged to undertake these projects.
Port to Renewable Energy Zones
LGA: Multiple
Status: In planning
Estimated start date: 2025
Proponent: EnergyCo
Email: port2rez@energyco.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1800 849 794
Central-West Orana Transmission Project
LGA: Multiple
Status: In planning
Target completion date: June 2027
Proponent: EnergyCo
Network Operator: ACEREZ
Upcoming projects
Aquila Wind
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council
Status: In planning
Estimated operation start: 2029
Project Owner: ACEN
Website: Aquila Wind - ACEN Australia
Burrendong Wind Farm
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council and Mid-Western Regional Council
Status: In planning
Estimated operation start: 2029
Project Owner: Ark Energy
Email: info@burrendongwindfarm.com.au
Phone: 1800 731 296
Website: Burrendong Wind Farm | Ark Energy
Cobbora Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council & Warrumbungle Shire Council
Status: In planning
Estimated operation start: 2028
Project Owner: Pacific Partnerships (a wholly owned member of the CIMIC group)
Contact name: Development Manager
Email: contactus_cobbora@cobborasolarfarm.com.au
Phone: (02) 9128 8591
Website: Cobbora Solar Farm - Marble Energy
Dubbo Firming Power Station
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council
Status: Approved
Estimated operation start: 2025
Project Owner: Squadron Energy
Contact: Bart Sykes (Regional Economic Development Manager)
Email: bart.sykes@squadronenergy.com
Website: Dubbo Firming Power Station | Squadron Energy
Kerrs Creek Wind Farm
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council
Status: In planning
Estimated operation start: 2029
Project Owner: RES Australia
Contact name: Mark Roberts (Senior Development Project Manager)
Email: info@kerrscreek-windfarm.com
Phone number: 0431 387 385
Website: Kerrs Creek Wind Farm
Milpulling Wind Farm
LGA: Gilgandra Shire Council
Status: In planning
Estimated operation start: 2030
Project Owner: Goldwind
Website: Project | Milpulling Wind Farm
Phoenix Pumped Hydro
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council
Status: In planning
Estimated operation start: 2030
Project Owner: Acen
Website: Phoenix Pumped Hydro - ACEN Australia
Sandy Creek Solar Farm
LGA: Warrumbungle Shire Council and Dubbo Regional Council
Status: In planning
Estimated operation start: 2029
Project Owner: Lightsource BP
Website: Sandy Creek solar | Lightsource bp
Contact name: Kelsi Bolstad (Senior Environmental Planner)
Email: sandycreekproject@lightsourcebp.com
Phone: 1800 570 663
Spicers Creek Wind Farm
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council & Warrumbungle Shire Council
Status: Approved
Estimated operation start: 2030
Project Owner: Squadron Energy
Contact: Bart Sykes (Regional Economic Development Manager)
The Dubbo Project (Mining)
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council
Status: In planning (construction ready)
Project Owner: ASM
Website: Dubbo Project - ASM
Dubbo Quarry Continuation Project
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council
Status: In planning
Project Owner: Holcim Australia
Website: Dubbo Quarry
South Keswick Quarry Production Increase
LGA: Dubbo Regional Council
Status: In planning
Project Owner: Regional Group
CWO briefings and workshops
Members of the Western team (within Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development) are hosting a series of SME Business Briefings within the CWO region.
These briefings ensure businesses in the CWO region understand the extent of infrastructure investment in the region, understand potential opportunities, and gain an understanding of proponent administration requirements to work on site.
*Future events and dates will be listed on this website as they become available
The workshops are planned to run in conjunction with the Briefing series.
They aim to support businesses in understanding major project pipelines for procurement (looking ahead for the next 6 months), gain skills to develop collateral to support participation in project delivery, and develop collateral to participate in bidding for major projects in the region.
Workshops will cover the following topics:
- Capability statement writing
- Understanding the procurement process
- Designing your response to the procurement requirements
- Policies and procedures that may be required to access work sites
*Future events and dates will be listed on this website as they become available
Business support
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
The Regional Economic Development team within the department is dedicated to supporting regional economic development. We have a regionally based team located in the Central-West Orana region and can offer a range of services to assist you do business, including but not limited to the provision of local supply chain opportunities, job creation, skills development and community engagement. For more information on the services we offer, download the RED services offering factsheet.
Our Economic Development Managers (EDMs) can assist with business related enquiries, grant management, and networking opportunities.
Stephen Guihot
Economic Development Manager
0429 959 120
stephen.guihot@regional.nsw.gov.au
Geena Molloy
Economic Development Manager
0456 999 491
geena.molloy@regional.nsw.gov.au
Kerry Roberts
Economic Development Manager
0475 466 638
kerry.roberts@regional.nsw.gov.au
Our Aboriginal Partnership Managers (APMs) offer one on one business assistance, manage business grants and are driven to improve the economic opportunities for Aboriginal business, Community Controlled Organisations and Local Aboriginal Lands Councils and Government.
Kade Goodwin
Aboriginal Partnership Manager
0429 534 674
kade.goodwin@regional.nsw.gov.au
Daine Cox
Aboriginal Partnerships Manager
0487 202 034
daine.cox@regional.nsw.gov.au
Kylie Provest
Aboriginal Partnership Manager
0456 947 237
kylie.provest@regional.nsw.gov.au
The below organisations are equipped to assist local business in understanding project opportunities and increasing procurement success.
- ICN connects local business to local project opportunities through a database where many tenders are advertised.
- Register as a supplier here
- To view current pages for the CWO REZ go to Gateway by ICN - Project details
Contact: David Norris
Regional Manager - Central West
0447800239
dnorris@icnnsw.org.au
Aims to improve access to procurement opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses through the Aboriginal Procurement Policy and Aboriginal Procurement Policy Review 2023.
The NSWICC offers a suite of services and support to Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners.
Supply Nation provides a database of verified Indigenous businesses facilitating connections between Indigenous businesses and procurement departments.
Yarpa support First Nations businesses and communities with a wide range of resources.
Many Rivers helps people to start and grow their own small business, particularly those who have low or no income to become self-employed.
IBA support Indigenous led businesses and investment.
The Service NSW Business Bureau provides free, tailored business advice in one-on-one sessions from independent advisors. Businesses in all industries can access up to 8 hours of support each year.
Central NSW Business HQ provides small and medium-sized businesses with fully subsidised business advice and support. These services are fully subsidised by Service NSW.
Regional Development Australia Orana work with all levels of government, business and community groups to support the development in the region.
TAFE currently offer microskills courses in the renewable energy sector, at a very low cost.
- TenderHub brings together tender opportunities from major public and private buyer organisations into a single easy-to-use platform. Businesses can explore a variety of tender opportunities all in one place, supported by a powerful search engine and real-time notifications.
- ICN connects local business to local project opportunities through a database where many tenders are advertised.
- The NSW Government Planning Portal is a database of all major (state significant) projects in NSW. The search engine can be filtered by LGA, project title etc.
- The NSW Government Infrastructure Pipeline includes major infrastructure projects in planning, upcoming projects for procurement, and asset maintenance projects. Filter by sector, project type, estimate value and project phase to find and export the data that is relevant to you.