A FOCUS on clean energy via the New South Wales government’s Renewable Energy Zones has highlighted the key role of the Port of Newcastle in this ongoing transition.
Perhaps best known as Australia’s largest coal export port, as of August 2025, Newcastle became the most preferred import terminal for renewable energy infrastructure and part of an integrated decarbonisation supply chain.
This supply chain includes TfNSW, EnergyCo, the NSW government’s Newcastle Logistics Precinct, transport companies, communities, land holders and others.
The scale of turbine and battery componentry has made Newcastle one of the only viable gateways capable of handling the state’s new generation of big cargo.
The state relies heavily upon Newcastle’s capacity and efficiency, with components for around three quarters of NSW renewable projects delivered via the port.
PON’s Multipurpose Terminal, supported by two Liebherr heavy‑lift cranes and 16 hectares of dedicated storage, provides capability to handle cargo that cannot be accommodated elsewhere in NSW.
The port strengthened its position as NSW’s indispensable logistics gateway for the renewable energy rollout, following the arrival in August last year of the first wind turbine components for Squadron Energy’s Uungula Wind Farm.
Chief executive Craig Carmody said the Uungula project was the latest renewables project that relied on the port’s size, efficiency and connectivity.
“The importance of the Port of Newcastle in Australia's energy future cannot be overstated,” he said.
“We are the entry point for the oversized over mass cargo of every single project within the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone and over 90% of all wind farm projects across NSW.”
Mr Carmody said the Port of Newcastle had been Australia’s leading exporter of energy to Asia for 25 years.
“Now, we have also become the main gateway for importing the components that will power the next phase of our nation’s energy transition,” he said.
“Furthermore, once our Clean Energy Precinct is fully realised, we intend to use the electrons produced in the REZs to export clean energy to the world.
“This is how the Port of Newcastle ensures the Hunter Region continues its legacy as Australia's leading energy export port for generations to come.”
Mr Carmody said these shipments marked the opening phase of a decade‑long flow of about 30,000 major renewable components through Newcastle; the port capable of receiving, storing, and moving today’s vastly larger wind turbine parts most quickly and efficiently.