Energy Transition Should Prioritize Host Communities Warns Regional Cities NSW
The Regional Cities New South Wales (RCNSW) has called for urgent attention to ensure that communities hosting renewable energy projects can access locally generated power during blackouts. In a statement on October 17, 2025, RCNSW Chair Cr Steve Krieg highlighted the need for improved energy resilience, particularly following the severe blackout experienced in Broken Hill and the Far West region a year prior.
Energy Transition Must Benefit Host Communities
Cr Krieg has reached out to Energy Minister Penny Sharpe urging the removal of regulations that hinder local generators from supplying electricity in emergencies. He stressed that rural and regional areas are hosting most of the state’s renewable energy infrastructure, including solar and wind farms, causing a disconnect between energy production and consumption during crises.
Impact of the Broken Hill Blackout
On October 16, 2024, a severe storm caused significant damage, leading to widespread power outages in Broken Hill and the surrounding towns of Wilcannia, Menindee, Tibooburra, and White Cliffs. More than 12,000 households were left without power for extended periods, demonstrating the vulnerabilities within the state’s energy network.
Broken Hill Mayor Cr Tom Kennedy commented on the aftermath of the outage, stating that six towns faced disruptions to clean drinking water, fuel supply, and health facilities. He noted that many small businesses suffered financially, exacerbating the challenges of recovery.
Recommendations for Future Resilience
In response to the findings from the NSW Legislative Assembly Committee on Environment and Planning, RCNSW has proposed several actions:
- Implement mandatory disclosures regarding outages and asset conditions to regulators and emergency services.
- Allocate funding for regional infrastructure improvements, including battery storage and microgrids, in the 2026-27 Budget.
- Establish tailored emergency communication protocols for regional communities.
- Empower regulators to enforce compensation when service obligations are unmet.
- Create a Regional Energy Equity Taskforce to focus on community needs during energy planning and reform.
Cr Krieg emphasized the need for better planning and robust communication channels to protect communities from future blackouts. He believes that investment in energy and telecommunications infrastructure will strengthen regional cities’ resilience and connectivity.
About Regional Cities New South Wales
RCNSW is an alliance representing 15 regional cities in New South Wales with a combined population of over 777,000. By 2030, this number is expected to grow by 150,000. The member cities collectively contribute $44 billion annually to the regional economy, employing approximately 420,000 workers across various sectors like healthcare, retail, and education.
The challenges presented by the past outages underline the importance of ensuring that the energy transition process benefits the communities that are pivotal in enabling it. Immediate action from the government is essential to guarantee reliable access to energy for all, particularly those in regional areas.
