1.2GW capacity
525k homes powered each year
400 jobs at peak construction

The project

North East Wind involves the proposed development of a large-scale wind project located predominately on agricultural land in the Dorset municipality in North East Tasmania and a transmission line connection to State and National electricity network. The project will be developed across two clusters, Waterhouse in the west and Rushy Lagoon in the east.

Wind project

The project will be developed across two clusters, Waterhouse in the west and Rushy Lagoon in the east and will consist of up to 210 wind turbines and a generation capacity of up to 1,260 megawatts, onsite electrical infrastructure, temporary construction facilities, workers accommodation and may include a wharf facility.

Click here for PDF download of indicative turbine layout map (18 November 2024).

North East Wind Project Update April 2024

Project timeline

Why we need the project

Increasing clean energy production will enable Tasmania to electrify its transport sector, residential homes, and transition industrial sectors reliant on natural gas and diesel to future green fuels like green hydrogen and green ammonia.Tasmania is the nation’s leading renewable energy state and the Government has set an ambitious yet exciting target to double the state’s installed renewable generation capacity by 2040. In December 2020, the Government released the Tasmanian Renewable Energy Action Plan (TREAP) to support this target. North East Wind will contribute up to 45% of the renewable energy required to achieve Tasmania’s 200% renewable energy target and is aligned with the Government’s renewable energy action plan vision and priorities.

A world class wind resource

The north east of Tasmania was identified by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in the Integrated System Plan (ISP) as one of three onshore Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) in Tasmania. Renewable Energy Zones are ‘high renewable resource areas’ and The North East is characterised by strong westerly winds known as the ‘roaring 40’s’ from Bass Strait flowing over gently sloping land.

ACEN Australia has undertaken long-term wind resource monitoring since May 2019 to confirm the wind characteristics at the Rushy Lagoon and Waterhouse sites as Wind Speed Class 1 and 2 respectively under the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61400-1 standard. The combination of a world-class wind resource, relatively low population in the vicinity of the site, and predominantly cleared agricultural land means that North East Wind will be located on ideal land for a wind project.

For more information on North East Wind including project fact sheets see the documents section of this page.

Project assessment process

The wind project component of North East Wind is being assessed as a Major Project under the Tasmanian Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993. This involves the establishment of an independent panel, and development of coordinated and robust assessment criteria including land use, heritage, Aboriginal heritage, environmental, threatened species and infrastructure requirements. Supporting studies, including environment, noise, visual, cultural heritage and social assessments will be undertaken to inform the design of the project.

The project was declared a Major Project in 2022 and received the assessment criteria in August 2023. An Environmental Impact Statement will also be required under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The transmission line component will be assessed under a separate approvals pathway to the project site with the process due to commence in 2024. Assessment criteria to be advised will include land use, heritage, Aboriginal heritage, environmental, threatened species and infrastructure requirements.

At a glance

Up to

400

jobs during peak
construction
Up to

65

operational jobs
for 25 years
Total

$4B

construction
value
Up to

1.2GW

installed capacity
Offset

10M

tonnes of of CO2
emissions over 25 year project life
Power

525,000

homes
each year

Proposed transmission development

In order to connect new renewable energy generation to the network to support our growing need, transmission infrastructure is required to transport the electricity.

Learn more

Transmission line

In order to connect new renewable energy generation to the network to support our growing need, transmission infrastructure is required to transport the electricity. North East Wind will capture a world class wind resource and generate low-cost green electricity. It will connect to the existing high voltage 220 kV transmission network near George Town and the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone, a centre of high electricity demand, including potential future green hydrogen and methanol at Bell Bay.

Existing transmission infrastructure in North East Tasmania cannot support new energy generation. A new transmission line will need to be constructed. A study corridor has been identified for a transmission line that will connect the two clusters of North East Wind at Waterhouse and Rushy Lagoon to a switching station at Boobyalla. From here, the corridor will follow alongside the existing 110 kV transmission easement that connects Musselroe Wind Farm part way towards Derby, taking a separate path west at a point between Banca and Winnaleah. The corridor will then extend west to reach the existing high voltage 220 kV transmission network at Long Reach, just outside of George Town.

The transmission line will be developed considering a range of social and environmental factors and consultation with landholders.

Click here for PDF download of transmission line study corridor map

Community

Built on a foundation of trust and shared value, we seek to develop relationships with communities that create enduring and positive impact. Here are some of the things we are doing and have proposed to implement for North East Wind following project approval.

ACEN Australia Social Investment Program (SIP) available now and into construction of the project
Commitment to prioritise the participation of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to deliver goods and services
Commitment to product stewardship through environmental and social procurement that encourage circular economy outcomes
Carefully consider suitable accommodation solutions for the project construction workforce so as not to negatively impact on housing availability and affordability
Commitment to First Nations participation through areas such as contracting, employment, training and business innovation
Commitment to Learning Worker participation through areas such as traineeships and apprenticeships
Commitment to using local content for construction materials from Australia or New Zealand

Social investment

ACEN Australia’s Social Investment Program (SIP) is our voluntary contribution to communities. It provides funding now and during construction for initiatives that contribute to building thriving and resilient communities and economies, Funding is available to not-for profit organisations and activities that directly benefit and enhance the liveability and vibrancy of the North East region.

Lasting benefits

The SIP is in addition to a community benefit program for North East Wind that will see significant investment into the region over the life of the project. In 2024, we will be seeking input from community and stakeholders on what this program looks like to ensure it reflects community needs and aspirations.

Jobs and business

We have a commitment to employ and buy locally where we can so we can keep the benefits local. With such a significant construction investment, it is anticipated that there will be many opportunities for Tasmanian businesses to be involved. Goods and services likely to be procured locally include:

Due to the size of the project and the specialised skill set required, it is likely however that skilled workers from outside the region will also be required during the construction period.

First Nations participation

We acknowledge the First Peoples of Tasmania, their elders past and present, who were and are the keepers of cultural and spiritual knowledge and traditions. We also acknowledge the pairrebeenner clanspeople who lived in the North East area known as tebrakunna on which the North East Wind project is located. As a company seeking to harness wind, solar and water resources for energy today, we reflect on the contributions made by First Nations over thousands of years. We recognise the value of a better understanding of Aboriginal history and culture, and commit to meaningful participation with First Nations groups to support the protection of country, culture, and the development of their aspirations.