Barangaroo has reached a major sustainability milestone with the completion of the Carawatha Solar Farm in the NSW Riverina — the fourth regional solar farm now online and generating renewable energy for the Sydney precinct, securing its net zero operations for decades to come.

The completion of the Carawatha Solar Farm underpins a first-of-its-kind 25-year Green Product Purchase Agreement (GPPA) with CleanPeak Energy, described as one of the largest long-term renewable energy procurement agreements in NSW history. It also coincides with Barangaroo marking its 10th consecutive year of carbon neutral certification under the federal government's Climate Active program.

Together, the four solar farms — located at Hay, Moama, Uranquinty and Carawatha — generate approximately 55,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy each year, the equivalent of powering around 10,000 homes, contributing new and additional clean energy generation to the NSW grid at a time when more capacity is needed.

A first-of-its-kind energy agreement

The GPPA is structured around guaranteed renewable energy certificates secured at a set rate through to 2050, insulating Barangaroo from fluctuating market prices while ensuring high-quality renewable energy certificates remain available to the precinct well into the future.

Barangaroo precinct Sydney — backed by 55000 MWh of renewable energy annually

Unlike a traditional electricity supply contract, the GPPA secures renewable energy certificates centrally, allowing Barangaroo to benefit from renewable energy generation fed into the NSW electricity network without requiring individual tenants to negotiate separate arrangements. The agreement represents a $48 million investment in a sustainable future, funded entirely through Barangaroo residents and businesses at no cost to taxpayers.

Although Barangaroo has been carbon neutral for nearly a decade, the four solar farms now enable the precinct to secure high-quality renewable energy certificates at a known and affordable cost, avoiding exposure to fluctuating market prices in the process.

NSW Government and CleanPeak Energy

Aligned with the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, the GPPA delivers new renewable energy generation in NSW, supporting a reliable electricity network and helping transition the state to clean energy.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper describes the milestone as a defining commitment to carbon neutral operations.

"By locking in renewable energy certificates through to 2050, we're locking in a rate that we know isn't going to change, and we can provide certainty to operate 100 per cent carbon neutral into the future," Minister Kamper says. "Aligned with the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, this agreement helps deliver new renewable generation capacity in NSW, strengthening the electricity network and supporting reliability as we transition the energy system."

Solar panels at Carawatha Solar Farm NSW Riverina

CleanPeak Energy Chief Executive Officer Philip Graham says completing the fourth and final solar farm represents a defining milestone in the long-term partnership with the NSW Government.

"Together, we've delivered new renewable generation capacity that not only supports regional communities and jobs, but also underpins the transition to a cleaner energy future for NSW," Graham says. "It shows how government and industry can work together to deliver infrastructure that creates lasting environmental, social and commercial value. At full capacity, these solar farms will avoid more than 40,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, delivering tangible environmental benefits alongside strong commercial outcomes."

Regional economic and community benefits

Beyond Barangaroo, the four solar farms are delivering significant benefits to regional NSW communities. Collectively, they supported approximately 260 construction jobs and created around $20 million in construction stimulus at each site, along with ongoing operational and maintenance roles.

Barangaroo continues to set the benchmark for sustainable precinct operations and is on track to achieve its 10th consecutive Carbon Neutral certification under the Climate Active program this year. With all four solar farms now fully operational, the precinct can now operate at net zero for decades to come.

All images supplied.

Architecture & Design Team

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