North East Wind involves the proposed development of a large-scale wind farm located predominately on agricultural land in the Dorset municipality in North East Tasmania. The project will be developed across two clusters, Waterhouse in the west and Rushy Lagoon in the east.
The project will consist of up to 210 wind turbines and a generation capacity of up to 1,260 megawatts, a transmission line connection to State and National electricity network, onsite electrical infrastructure, temporary construction facilities, workers accommodation and may include a wharf facility.
The project was declared a Major Project in 2022 and received the assessment criteria in August 2023. An Environmental Impact Assessment will also be required under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. In preparation of these assessments, ACEN Australia will be carrying out surveys and our staff and consultants will be more active in the area over this period. Initial surveys will focus on flora and fauna, cultural heritage, marine, noise and visual assessment.
A transmission line will connect the project to the State electricity network, which will be developed with consideration of a range of social and environmental factors and consultation with landholders.
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 farm.
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.
See Documents section of this page for Project fact sheets and Transmission Line fact sheets.
In order to connect new renewable energy generation to the network to support our growing need, transmission infrastructure is required to transport the electricity.
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’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.
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.
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.
We know the importance of early engagement with communities and stakeholders and are guided by industry and global standards.
Email
info@newind.com.au
Phone
1800 870 807
Social media
facebook.com/northeastwindtas
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