Patricio had engaged with ICN NSW in previous roles and knew it played a crucial part in facilitating local business engagement. “I’d seen the effectiveness of ICN in connecting businesses with project opportunities,” he said.
When he started work at Gentari, he signed up to Gateway by ICN and got in touch with ICN Regional Manager Central West, David Norris.
Patricio believes this partnership has been central to delivering positive outcomes. For instance, ICN has helped to break down barriers by unbundling work packages and making project opportunities less overwhelming for small and medium-sized businesses. They have also hosted industry briefing sessions, allowing businesses to meet the project team.
“There are a lot of amazing regional businesses,” Patricio said. “But, for businesses, getting the word out about what you do and where you might be able to help can be difficult”.
ICN can also help bridge this gap by providing workshops on tender writing, business capacity building and creating opportunities for local companies to collaborate.
At the heart of this success story is David’s deep community connections and proactive approach, both instrumental in creating meaningful local opportunities. David’s understanding of the many projects happening within the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone allows businesses to better prepare themselves and to build meaningful connections.
The Maryvale Project was awarded a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA) under the NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. As part of this Agreement, social license commitments ensure the project fosters First Nations participation, supports underrepresented groups and creates opportunities for learning workers and apprentices.
At peak construction, the project will create approximately 360 jobs, with a strong emphasis on local and regional employment opportunities. Once operational, it will deliver up to 172 MW of dispatchable clean electricity – enough to power around 82,000 homes annually – while helping to avoid up to 411,788 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
In early 2025, Gentari appointed PCL Construction as engineering, procurement and construction contractor, with preliminary work starting midyear.
Looking beyond the Maryvale Project, Gentari is expanding its renewable energy portfolio, with upcoming projects in Victoria and Queensland.
“We’re committed to working closely with local and regional businesses,” Patricio said. “Our ongoing partnership with ICN will ensure that we continue to tap into the skill and experience found across regional Australia”.
As renewable energy continues to expand, organisations like ICN will play an increasingly crucial role in ensuring that local businesses and communities are not just observers, but active participants in the green energy revolution.
For more information about the Maryvale Project, go to Gentari’s website.