Western Sydney University has unveiled a comprehensive new research on the timelines involved in planning, approving, constructing, and commissioning renewable energy projects.
According to the university, the study, published in Energy Economics, is one of the first of its kind in Australia. It examined 170 onshore wind and solar photovoltaic projects in Australia completed between 2000 and 2023.
Dr. Thomas Longden from the university’s Urban Transformations Research Centre emphasised that the feasibility of achieving Australia’s 2030 renewable targets hinges on project timelines.
The study revealed a positive trend in reduced lead-times for onshore wind and solar projects. However, it highlighted an increase in commissioning lead-times, the final phase of the process, particularly for solar projects.
“With only about 70 months until 2030, accurate lead-times are needed to track how we are progressing towards our 2030 renewable energy targets,” Dr. Longden said.
Solar projects, taking around 41 months to complete, witnessed an extension in commissioning lead-times by up to six months or more.
Onshore wind projects, historically longer in duration, have seen a reduction in lead-times to 53 months for recent projects.
Dr. Longden said that meeting 2030 targets requires projects to commence planning in the next few years.
Despite improvements, the study urged sustained efforts for streamlined administrative procedures, proposing a ‘one-stop shop’ approach for applications and establishing maximum response time requirements for authorities.
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