List of Power Stations in NSW A Comprehensive Overview

New South Wales (NSW) is one of Australia’s most populous states and a key contributor to the country’s energy production. The state’s power stations play a vital role in meeting the electricity demands of millions of residents and businesses. NSW has a diverse mix of power generation facilities, ranging from traditional coal-fired plants to renewable energy sources such as hydro, wind, and solar. This article provides a detailed list of power stations in NSW, highlighting their types, capacities, and significance.

Coal-Fired Power Stations

Coal-fired power stations have historically been the backbone of NSW’s electricity supply. Despite a gradual shift towards cleaner energy, coal plants still contribute a significant portion of the state’s power.

Liddell Power Station: Located near Muswellbrook, this station has a capacity of about 2,000 MW. It has been a major supplier since the 1970s but is slated for closure in the near future due to aging infrastructure and environmental concerns.

Bayswater Power Station: Situated near Muswellbrook as well, Bayswater boasts a capacity of approximately 2,640 MW, making it one of the largest coal-fired power stations in Australia.

Mount Piper Power Station: Located near Lithgow, Mount Piper has a capacity of around 1,400 MW and continues to play a significant role in the state’s energy mix.

Gas-Fired Power Stations

Gas power stations provide flexible and cleaner energy compared to coal, often used to balance the grid during peak demand periods.

Tallawarra Power Station: Near Wollongong, this combined-cycle gas turbine plant has a capacity of 435 MW. It was upgraded and reopened in 2018, replacing an older coal plant.

Smithfield Power Station: This smaller gas plant near Smithfield has a capacity of about 50 MW and is used primarily for peak load support.

Uranquinty Power Station: Located near Wagga Wagga, it has a capacity of 640 MW and operates mainly during periods of high electricity demand.

Hydroelectric Power Stations

Hydroelectric power remains a reliable renewable source in NSW, utilizing the state’s rivers and water reservoirs.

Snowy Mountains Scheme: This iconic hydroelectric project includes several power stations such as Tumut 1, Tumut 2, and Tumut 3, with a combined capacity exceeding 4,000 MW. It is one of the largest renewable energy projects in Australia.

Burrendong Power Station: A smaller hydro plant with a capacity of around 12 MW, located on the Macquarie River.

Wind Farms

Wind energy is rapidly growing in NSW as part of the state’s push toward sustainable power generation.

Capital Wind Farm: Located near Bungendore, it has a capacity of 140 MW and supplies clean energy to thousands of homes.

Silverton Wind Farm: Near Broken Hill, with a capacity of 199 MW, it is one of the largest wind farms in the state.

Boco Rock Wind Farm: With a capacity of about 113 MW, this facility near Nimmitabel contributes significantly to the renewable portfolio.

solar power stations

Solar energy, both large-scale and rooftop installations, is expanding quickly in NSW.

Sunshine Solar Farm: Located near Moree, this large solar farm has a capacity of 110 MW.

Limondale Solar Farm: One of the largest solar farms in Australia, situated near Balranald, with a capacity of 313 MW.

Broken Hill Solar Plant: A smaller installation contributing clean energy to the local grid.

Emerging Technologies and Future Projects

NSW is also investing in emerging energy technologies such as battery storage and pumped hydro to improve grid stability.

Snowy 2.0: An expansion of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, this pumped hydro project aims to add 2,000 MW of renewable energy storage capacity by the late 2020s.

Large-scale battery projects: Several battery storage systems are under development or operation to store excess renewable energy and provide grid support.

The power stations in New South Wales represent a diverse and evolving energy landscape. From traditional coal-fired plants to cutting-edge renewable projects, NSW is balancing reliability with sustainability. As the state continues to transition toward cleaner energy sources, the mix of power stations will play a crucial role in shaping its energy future. Understanding the key power stations helps stakeholders, policymakers, and consumers appreciate the complexity and scale of electricity generation in NSW. Whether you are interested in coal, gas, hydro, wind, or solar power, NSW’s energy infrastructure is a dynamic example of Australia’s broader energy transition.