Members of the local community are being invited to discuss plans for an 800-megawatt wind farm being proposed across cattle and sheep grazing land within the Warrumbungle Shire, between the Central West towns of Coolah and Leadville.
The Valley of the Winds project will capture the natural energy of the wind across the region to help provide enough clean renewable energy to power 590,000 homes per year throughout NSW.
The project is in the early planning stages and is expected to create up to 400 jobs during construction and up to 50 full time jobs throughout the operational life of the project.
It is being proposed by experienced renewable energy developer UPC\AC Renewables Australia, as part of a portfolio of clean energy projects across NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
Valley of the Winds key project facts:
- Expected to create up to 400 jobs throughout the construction phase
- 50 jobs throughout the operational phase
- Additional opportunities for local businesses, suppliers and contractors
- Over $1 billion in capital investment
- Approximately 175 wind turbines with a maximum tip height of 250 metres
- Approximately 800 megawatts capacity
- 2,500,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy generation, enough to supply 590,000 homes
- Annual greenhouse gas reduction: 2 million tonnes of CO2
- Potential for battery storage
Valley of the Winds project Manager Jeremy Ellis said a community information drop-in session was being held to introduce the project to the local community during the early planning stages.
“This is a great opportunity for us to introduce the project, answer questions and get early feedback from the local community,” Mr Ellis said.
“We want this project to be a valued long-term asset for rural communities across the Central West region for many years to come. So, it’s important for us to hear the views of the local community as early as possible and wherever we can build them into our project application.”
The project will be designed to maximise opportunities for cattle and sheep grazing alongside renewable energy generation, helping to provide additional income for rural landowners and the wider community.
Valley of the Winds will be connected to the National Electricity Market via a high voltage transmission line. The electricity generated by the facility will then supply homes and businesses across the state with clean and reliable energy.
The transmission line will run from a new substation within the wind farm boundary, to the existing 500kV transmission line.
We are committed to working closely with landowners and their neighbours on the location of easements and wherever possible the design and structure of the transmission infrastructure.
A battery storage system is also being considered as part of the project to help provide electricity during peak periods and assist grid stability across the network.
Valley of the Winds will complement other renewable energy projects being considered across the region, under a recently announced State Government plan to create a Central West Renewable Energy Zone.
The project would be assessed as a State Significant Development under Part 4 of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Additionally, approval will be required from the Commonwealth, with significant input from the community and local councils.
The Valley of the Winds Community Information session will be held from 2pm to 7 pm on Thursday, 27 February at Coolah Showgrounds & Recreational Reserve, Dunedoo Road, Coolah.
All members of the community are invited to drop by at any time during this session to find out more about the project, ask questions and provide feedback.
Media contact: Anthony O’Brien: 0407 264 727