Energy #101 Series: Renewable Energy Zones: A Global Movement

What Is Happening Globally?

While Australia uses the term Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), many countries are adopting similar concepts under different names. Around the world, governments are strategically identifying regions with abundant renewable resources and investing in transmission, storage and supporting infrastructure to accelerate the clean energy transition.

Although the terminology differs, the objective is largely the same: coordinate renewable energy generation, strengthen electricity networks, attract investment and improve energy security.

Asia

Asia is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy markets. Countries including China, India, Japan and South Korea are investing heavily in renewable energy precincts, ultra-high-voltage transmission networks and large-scale battery storage.

China leads the world in renewable energy deployment, developing enormous wind and solar bases across its western provinces while expanding transmission infrastructure to deliver electricity to major population centres in the east.

India has established Renewable Energy Parks and Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks, bringing together large-scale solar and wind projects supported by new transmission infrastructure.

Across Southeast Asia, countries are increasingly collaborating through the ASEAN Power Grid initiative, which aims to strengthen regional electricity interconnections and improve access to renewable energy across national borders.

Africa

Africa possesses some of the world’s greatest untapped solar and wind resources.

Many countries are focusing on Renewable Energy Corridors and regional power pools to improve electricity access while supporting economic development.

Projects often combine renewable generation with rural electrification, transmission expansion and community development. International organisations, development banks and private investors are playing a significant role in financing renewable energy infrastructure across the continent.

South Africa, Morocco, Kenya and Egypt are among the continent’s renewable energy leaders, with major solar and wind developments supporting national decarbonisation and energy security goals.

Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Traditionally associated with oil and gas, the MENA region is rapidly becoming a global leader in utility-scale renewable energy.

Countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Egypt are investing billions of dollars in large renewable energy hubs, green hydrogen production and export infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 includes significant investment in renewable energy zones, transmission infrastructure and integrated clean energy developments through the National Renewable Energy Program and projects such as NEOM.

The United Arab Emirates continues expanding some of the world’s largest solar parks, while Morocco has become a global leader in concentrated solar power and integrated renewable energy planning.

Rather than simply replacing fossil fuels, many MENA countries are positioning renewable energy as a future export industry, producing clean electricity and green hydrogen for domestic use and international markets.

Europe

Europe has adopted one of the world’s most coordinated approaches to renewable energy planning.

The European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive encourages Member States to identify Renewables Acceleration Areas—locations where renewable energy projects can be developed more efficiently while balancing environmental protection and community interests.

Many European countries are integrating offshore wind zones, battery storage, hydrogen infrastructure and upgraded transmission networks into long-term national energy strategies.

Cross-border electricity interconnectors are also becoming increasingly important, allowing renewable energy to flow between countries and improving energy security across the continent.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom does not formally use Renewable Energy Zones in the Australian sense, but it follows a similar strategic planning model.

The UK Government has identified priority areas for offshore wind development through leasing rounds managed by The Crown Estate, supported by National Grid transmission upgrades and long-term electricity network planning.

The country is also investing heavily in offshore wind, battery energy storage systems, interconnectors with mainland Europe and hydrogen production to support its net-zero commitments.

Grid connection reform has become a major focus as the number of renewable energy projects awaiting connection continues to grow.

North America

The United States and Canada are both investing heavily in renewable energy development, although planning responsibilities are generally shared between federal, state, provincial and regional authorities.

The United States has designated Renewable Energy Development Areas, offshore wind lease areas and transmission corridors to support large-scale clean energy investment. Federal incentives introduced through the Inflation Reduction Act have accelerated investment in renewable generation, battery storage and transmission infrastructure.

Canada is expanding renewable energy through provincial energy strategies, Indigenous partnerships and major hydroelectric, wind and solar developments. New transmission projects are helping integrate renewable resources across provinces while supporting regional economic development.

Across North America, there is increasing recognition that renewable energy generation must be planned alongside transmission infrastructure, storage and community engagement to ensure reliable and affordable electricity systems.

Central and South America

Central and South America are becoming increasingly important regions in the global clean energy transition. While most countries do not formally use the term Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), many are adopting similar approaches through renewable energy hubs, strategic energy corridors, transmission expansion and coordinated regional planning.

The region benefits from abundant natural resources, including high solar irradiation, strong wind resources, extensive hydroelectric capacity and growing geothermal potential. Governments are increasingly recognising that large-scale renewable energy development requires not only new generation projects but also modern transmission networks, battery storage and long-term energy planning.

Chile has become a global leader in utility-scale solar development, particularly in the Atacama Desert, which receives some of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world. Major investments are being made to strengthen transmission infrastructure, allowing renewable electricity to be transported from northern generation regions to population and industrial centres further south.

Brazil continues expanding its renewable energy mix through wind, solar and hydroelectric generation. Significant investment in transmission infrastructure is helping connect renewable energy projects across one of the world’s largest electricity networks while supporting industrial development and improving energy security.

Colombia is emerging as a regional renewable energy leader through large-scale wind and solar developments, particularly in the La Guajira region. Investment is also increasing in transmission infrastructure, battery energy storage systems, digital infrastructure and data centres, recognising that reliable renewable electricity is becoming a key driver of future economic growth.

Across Central America, countries including Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras and Guatemala continue to expand renewable electricity generation through hydroelectricity, geothermal energy, wind and solar projects. Regional initiatives such as the Central American Electrical Interconnection System (SIEPAC) have strengthened electricity trading and cross-border transmission, enabling countries to share renewable energy resources and improve grid reliability.

Although the terminology varies across the region, the direction is consistent. Governments are moving beyond developing individual renewable energy projects and instead focusing on integrated energy systems that coordinate renewable generation, transmission infrastructure, energy storage and regional economic development. This strategic approach reflects many of the same principles that underpin Australia’s Renewable Energy Zones.

A Global Shift

Although the terminology varies—from Renewable Energy Zones and Renewable Energy Parks to Renewable Energy Corridors, Clean Energy Hubs and Renewables Acceleration Areas—the underlying concept is remarkably consistent.

Countries around the world recognise that achieving net-zero emissions requires more than building individual wind farms or solar farms.

It requires coordinated planning.

Successful renewable energy systems depend on generation, transmission, storage, supportive policy, investment and meaningful engagement with communities. Australia is part of a much broader global transition where governments, industry and communities are working together to reshape the way electricity is produced, transported and consumed.

Why Communities Matter

Renewable Energy Zones are often discussed in technical terms: megawatts, transmission capacity, grid connection, dispatchability and firming.

Those things matter.

However, REZs are also social projects.

They affect landholders, Traditional Owners, local councils, regional towns, farmers, tourism operators, biodiversity, road networks, housing, local jobs and community identity.

This is where communication and stakeholder engagement become critical.

A Renewable Energy Zone cannot succeed by technical planning alone. Communities need clear information about what is proposed, who is responsible, what benefits are available, how impacts will be managed and how local voices will influence decision-making.

The energy transition is not only about replacing coal with renewables. It is about rebuilding the physical, economic and social foundations of the electricity system.

TLDR/The Simple Version

A Renewable Energy Zone is a planned area where renewable energy projects, storage and transmission infrastructure are coordinated together.

Different states use different names, agencies and delivery models, but the goal is similar: build the infrastructure needed to move from ageing fossil fuel generation to a cleaner, more distributed and more reliable energy system.

The big challenge is not only technical.

It is also about trust, timing, fairness and whether regional communities are treated as partners in the transition.

Written by Tarnia Riggs.

Disclaimer: Energy 101 is an educational series designed to explain complex energy and infrastructure topics in plain English. It is intended to improve public understanding and should not be interpreted as policy, investment, engineering or legal advice.

If there is a future industry topic, infrastructure challenge or energy conversation you would like explored as part of the Energy 101 Series, feel free to reach out.

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