Already home to one of Australia's largest renewables projects, the Snowy Mountains Scheme, the South East of New South Wales is expected to see an influx of more green energy projects over the next two decades.
An estimated $10 billion offshore floating wind farm has been proposed to be built near Eden, while a large-scale solar farm has been touted for Rock Flat, near Cooma.
Oceanex Energy chief executive Andy Evans said the state's south-east provides some of the best resources for renewable energy, particularly for wind.
"That's always been the attraction. The thing that's held us back for a couple of years is the development of floating foundation technology."
Oceanex Energy is in the feasibility stage of its project, which aims to construct five wind turbine farms off Australian coastlines, including four in NSW and one off the coast near Bunbury, Western Australia.
Mr Evans spent this week visiting stakeholders and community members in the Bega Valley to discuss the company's proposal.
He said the construction of the wind farm in Eden could commence in the early 2030s and be complete by 2036.
He said a major drawcard for residents would be the boost in local jobs that the project could bring.
"During construction over a four-year period you're looking at about 3,000 direct jobs involved and many indirect jobs as well," Mr Evans said.
"And then you're looking at about 300 permanent jobs for the 30-year operational phase."
A new industry
The technology needed to build floating windfarms is still relatively new.
"Because there are only six other countries looking at it."
It's hoped the new Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill, which was passed by the federal government late last year, will help kickstart the industry in Australia.
Associate professor of public policy at ANU Llewelyn Hughes said despite the recent introduction of legislation it's likely to be some time before the industry takes off in Australia.
"I think we've got some ways to go in terms of getting the policy frameworks in place to provide greater certainty around developing these projects," Professor Hughes said.
"But once we have them in place, we have the expertise in the region to provide us with a great opportunity."
Solar on the horizon
Another renewable energy industry being promoted across the South East is solar.
Director of the Rock Flat Solar Farm project Simon Kerrison plans to build a large-scale solar farm at Rock Flat, 20 kilometres south of Cooma.
He said the project would be set up on 350 acres of land and could generate power to tens of thousands of homes.
"The project itself could be up to 90 megawatts in capacity, which is enough electricity to power approximately 30,000 … homes."
It would be the first solar farm to be built in South East NSW.
The company aims to start construction in the next three to four years and said it could bolster jobs locally.
"When the solar farm is operational [there will be] two or three full-time people that will be required to work on the project, ideally located in the local area."
