Synergy gets enviro nod for 2-GW clean energy hub in Western Australia
- Özcan Berk Atakan
- Jan 12
- 1 min read
Synergy has reached a major milestone in Australia’s energy transition after receiving environmental clearance for its proposed 2-GW Tathra Renewable Energy Hub in Western Australia’s Mid West region.
The approval, granted by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), confirms that the project will not require a full state-level environmental assessment, provided mitigation measures are implemented. These include biodiversity protections and a bird and bat adaptive management plan, reflecting the growing maturity of environmental risk management in large-scale renewable developments.
Located in the Shire of Carnamah, approximately 15 km east of Eneabba, the Tathra hub is designed as an integrated renewable system combining up to 1 GW of wind, 500 MW of solar PV, and 500 MW of battery energy storage. This hybrid configuration aims to deliver firm, dispatchable clean power while reducing reliance on fossil-fuel generation.
The project forms part of Synergy’s long-term strategy to replace retiring coal assets and strengthen grid reliability as Western Australia accelerates its decarbonisation pathway. Large-scale storage will play a critical role in smoothing intermittency and supporting system stability, particularly as renewable penetration continues to rise.
While state environmental and planning approvals have been secured in a notably short timeframe, the project is still expected to undergo federal review under the EPBC Act before reaching final investment and construction decisions.
If delivered as planned, the Tathra Renewable Energy Hub would stand among the largest integrated wind-solar-storage developments in Australia, reinforcing Western Australia’s position as a key growth market for utility-scale clean energy.
