More than 700,000 homes are expected to reap the benefits of a newly approved wind farm in the Murrumbidgee and Edward River regions. Photo: Abby Anaday.
The NSW Government has approved the Yanco Delta wind farm in the state’s South West Renewable Energy Zone with expectations it will provide 700,000 homes with clean energy.
The 1500-megawatt wind farm will be developed by Viraya Energy about 10 km northwest of Jerilderie on a 33,000-hectare site in the Murrumbidgee and Edward River local government areas.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said the decision to approve the wind farm was fantastic news for the southwest part of the state.
“It means more clean energy, more jobs and local investment and we’re another step closer to achieving our net zero targets,” Ms Sharpe said.
“Over the next decade, three of the four remaining coal-fired generators in NSW are scheduled to retire, removing around 7400 megawatts of dispatchable electricity generation from the system.
“Renewable energy developments like this one in the South West Renewable Energy Zone are critical to our energy future, so we can ensure there is enough renewable energy to replace aging coal-fired power stations.”
Two hundred and eight wind turbines – each 270 metres tall – and an 800-megawatt battery storage facility will be built as part of the project with plans to save between 2.8 million and 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said local residents and stakeholders had played a vital role in getting the works over the line.
“The Yanco Delta wind farm is set to deliver positive local benefits including up to 300 jobs in construction and 30 jobs in operation,” Mr Scully said.
“Two hundred and eight wind turbines producing around 1500 megawatts is more than the entire generating capacity of the Mt Piper coal-fired power station near Lithgow, west of the Blue Mountains.”
The project is set to make a significant contribution to the state’s net zero targets and the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.
Potential impacts would be managed through strict conditions, including road upgrades and maintenance, implementation of management plans and a range of mitigation and adaptive management measures.
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