Case Management service
The Case Management service makes it easy to invest in NSW by providing a central point of contact for businesses investing in large-scale energy infrastructure that improves the reliability of the NSW electricity system. It is one of the key actions set out in the NSW Electricity Strategy and will support implementation of the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, a framework to deliver a modern electricity system for NSW.
The service helps reliable energy projects progress through the planning and approval processes in a smooth and timely way, working with stakeholders to address any challenges that may arise. The service will get projects up and running faster by collaborating with all levels of government, energy market bodies, network operators and other key stakeholders. The Case Management team will use expertise in transmission, renewables, storage and firming technologies to provide project developers with an effective and tailored service.
The support provided by the service will cater to each project’s unique circumstances. The Case Management team will bridge the gaps between decision makers, businesses and investors, as appropriate, to ensure issues can be properly addressed as early as possible. The service will also provide the NSW Government with timely and ground-truthed market information to support better policy decisions, making it easier to invest in NSW.
The Case Management service works closely with the NSW Investment Concierge, which provides a free, tailored and confidential service for businesses looking to establish or grow in NSW. Contact the NSW Investment Concierge to discuss your requirements and find out more about other government services and programs available.
To be eligible, a project must be large-scale, deliver additional firm capacity of at least 50 megawatts in NSW and be under active development. This means the project has entered, or is close to entering the NSW planning system and you have completed your financial plan.
There are four key eligibility criteria:
- Meet a minimum threshold of additional firm capacity of 50 megawatts (as outlined in the figure below)*.
- Demonstrate your project is actively being developed. You can do this by outlining the development tasks you are currently working on.
- Have entered or be close to entering the NSW planning system. This means your project must have lodged or be in the process of lodging an application for SEARs.
- Meet financial eligibility criteria. You can do this by providing a breakdown of the total cost of the project and how you are financing the project.
Further, projects that support implementation of the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, such as projects that are part of Renewable Energy Zones, Electricity Infrastructure Investment Safeguard or Pumped Hydro Recoverable Grants programs will be prioritised.
The Australian Energy Market Operator's Integrated System Plan notes firm capacity is power assumed to be available at times of peak demand. As solar and wind generation cannot be relied upon to provide during peak hours, a peak contribution factor is given instead of firm capacity. For the purpose of the Case Management service, firm capacity is calculated using peak capacity factors of:
- 100% of dispatchable megawatts for gas, pumped hydro, batteries and bioenergy
- 13% of total megawatts for a solar farm, or
- 10% of total megawatts for a wind farm.
The service will also have the discretion to accept other reliable energy projects on a case-by-case basis. Eligibility for the service does not exempt a project from providing necessary information or following due process in relation to other government approvals.
To participate in the Case Management service, you must have read and understood the terms and conditions below and agree to comply to its provisions at all times.
You can apply for the Case Management service online by selecting the ‘apply here’ text below.
In your application form you need to provide your project’s details (including generation and/or storage type, location and size) and an up to date project plan or prospectus. You will also need to answer questions that determine your project’s eligibility for the service and identify how the service can best support your project.
If your application is successful, the Case Management team will organise a time to discuss your project. If your organisation is developing more than one project in NSW, you may submit an application for each project. The eligibility of each project will be assessed individually.
We acknowledge the application process requires you to submit commercially sensitive information. All commercially sensitive information will be treated confidentially by the department (including its consultants and advisers) and the NSW Government.
The service will use this information to assess the eligibility of your project, understand your barriers and opportunities, and provide tailored support to you. In order to effectively support your project, we may also share your project information within the department or to energy market bodies including AEMO and network service providers on a confidential basis.
Further information on how we store and use your information is available in our privacy statement as well as in the frequently asked questions document listed below.
The information you provide will be stored electronically, consistent with the department’s Records Management Policy. Under this policy you have the right to request access to and correct any of your personal information held by the department.
If you have any further questions about the service, read the following documents:
- Frequently asked questions - 203kb pdf download
- Journey guide – 104kb pdf download
- Application form – 251kb pdf download
- Terms and conditions – 306kb pdf download
You can contact the Case Management team by emailing casemanagement.energy [at] planning.nsw.gov.au.
