NSW Govt green lights development of 1500MW Yanco Delta Wind Farm

The New South Wales Government has green lighted the development of a 1,500MW wind farm in the South West Renewable Energy Zone, which will ultimately have the capacity to produce enough clean, renewable energy to power 700,000 homes annually. 

Virya Energy’s Yanco Delta Wind Farm is going to be built on a 33,000 hectare site in the Murrumbidgee and Edward River Local Government Areas, about 10 kilometres north-west of Jerilderie. 

The large-scale renewable energy project will involve the construction of 208 wind turbines with a maximum tip height of 270 metres along with an 800MW battery energy storage facility and grid connection infrastructure. 

“This is fantastic news for NSW and for the South West 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. 

“Over the next decade, 3 of the 4 remaining coal fired generators in NSW are scheduled to retire, removing around 7,400 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,” Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said. 

Project map (source: Yanco Delta Wind + Storage)

The project saw overall support during the public exhibition of its environmental impact statement. In addition, the Department of Planning and Environment has been closely engaging with local councils as well as residents and government agencies regarding the project. 

The Yanco Delta Wind Farm is estimated to save between 2.8 million and 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year once it is operational, significantly contributing to the State’s net zero targets and Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. 

The project is subject to strict conditions such as road upgrades and maintenance, implementation of management plans as well as a range of mitigation and adaptive management measures to help manage potential impacts. 

The Yanco Delta Wind Farm is expected to support hundreds of jobs through its construction, operation and maintenance. 

“Local residents and stakeholders have played a vital role in the work to get this project over the line, and it’s set to deliver positive local benefits including up to 300 jobs in construction and 30 jobs in operation. 

“Two hundred and eight wind turbines producing around 1,500 megawatts is more than the entire generating capacity of the Mt Piper coal fired power station near Lithgow, west of the Blue Mountains. 

“This is a great way to end 2023. With 18 renewable energy projects under assessment that could provide enough energy to more than 2,740,000 households a year, 2024 will likely be an even stronger year for adding more renewable energy to the NSW grid,” Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said. 

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Yanco Delta Wind + Storage; NSW Government – Department of Planning and Environment; Renew Economy; ABC News