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THE PROJECT
Where is the project?
The Winterbourne Wind Farm is located to the north and east of Walcha township in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, approximately 425 kilometres by road from Sydney.
The proposed development area is bounded by Thunderbolts Way and the Oxley Highway to the west, the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park to the south and east, and the Salisbury Plains to the north.
How big is the project?
The project will consist of up to 118 turbine locations with a combined capacity of up to 730 MW. The project may be built in one or more stages.
How big will the wind turbines be?
The project will likely utilise Vestas V162-6.2 MW turbines. These turbines will have a hub height of around 149m and a maximum blade tip height of approximately 230m.
Are new roads required for the wind farm?
WinterbourneWind will construct new unsealed access tracks linking existing Council roads to the turbine locations. In many cases, the new tracks will involve upgrading existing farm tracks, which will also help landowners with farm operations, and potentially emergency responders in the event of bush fires or other emergencies. In all cases, the new access tracks will be designed with the objective of minimising impacts to existing vegetation.
The new access tracks will be unsealed but will be constructed to allow for transport of heavy materials and equipment during construction, and to allow for long-term operation of the wind farm.
In addition, WinterbourneWind will work with Walcha Council to upgrade some existing Council roads as required to support project traffic requirements.
Are transmission lines required for the wind farm?
The project will include one main transmission line, approximately 44 km long, which connects the wind farm to the existing electrical grid. The line will be an overhead 330 kilovolt (kV) line, built using steel lattice towers. The new line will connect into the existing Tamworth-Armidale 330kV line, approximately 7 km south of Uralla, NSW.
Within the wind farm, the turbines will be connected to each other and to the substations primarily via underground 33kV cabling. The cabling will generally run adjacent to the proposed new access tracks. Several short sections of overhead 33 kV line will also be constructed in the vicinity of project substations.
How many substations will be built for the project?
The project will include two new 33/330kV substations within the wind farm area, which convert the lower voltage generated by the turbines to high voltage which can be connected into the existing grid.
In addition, a new switchyard will be built at the proposed connection point where the new transmission line will connect into the existing Tamworth-Armidale 330kV line. The substations, switchyard and transmission line will be constructed in parallel with the wind farm.
Why has this project taken a long time?
Whilst the project dates back to 2001, when a group of local landowners conceived of a wind farm in the Walcha area, Vestas has been involved with the project since 2019.
The NSW planning process for wind farms is rigorous. It requires detailed assessment of potential noise, visual, biodiversity, traffic, cultural heritage, aviation and other impacts. Biodiversity surveys need to be conducted over every season and across multiple years to ensure the potential impacts to vegetation, habitat, flora, fauna and migratory species are understood. Technical requirements for connecting a power station into the grid network are complex and require highly specialized modelling and negotiation with the grid owner (TransGrid) and Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). Finally, a project of this size requires the financial and technical due diligence of lenders, investors and energy buyers (offtakers) to ensure the proposal is commercially viable.
Subject to development consent, we expect to start construction in 2027, and would expect construction to last approximately three years, followed by 6 months of project commissioning. Based on this timeframe, we would expect the project to begin commercial operations in 2030.
Does the project require subsidies?
The project is not dependent on government subsidies for construction or operation. Wind farms are considered one of the cheapest forms of new electricity generation, along with solar energy, and can produce energy at a significantly lower cost than coal or gas-fired power stations.
WIND ENERGY
How do wind turbines work?
Wind turbines convert the natural movement of air into mechanical energy through rotation of the turbine blades. This mechanical energy is converted into electricity, which is sent to the electrical grid.
What technology will be used for the project?
The Winterbourne Wind Farm will be built using Vestas wind turbines. More than 189,000 MW of Vestas turbines have been installed in 88 countries around the world, accounting for almost 1 in 5 of all turbines installed worldwide.
What is the carbon footprint of a wind farm?
Wind farms have significantly lower carbon footprints than other electricity-generating sources. A typical Vestas wind turbine emits around 1% of the carbon emissions per kWh of electricity that would be generated by a coal-fired power plant. We expect emissions reduction of ~1.5 million tonnes CO2-eq per annum.
How does energy payback work?
‘Energy payback’ is the time required for a wind farm to produce as much energy as it consumes over the full life cycle of the plant, considering the manufacturing of components, transport, construction, operation and decommissioning.
For Vestas turbines, the typical ‘break even’ point – where energy output exceeds energy required – is between 6 to 9 months, depending on the wind speed and other site-specific factors. This means that a typical wind farm becomes carbon neutral in less than one year of operation. By comparison, a coal-fired power station always consumes more energy than it generates and never achieves an energy payback or emissions avoided. In 2023 alone, Vestas turbines avoided 396 million tonnes of CO2-eq emissions from being released into the atmosphere.
What is the Return on Energy of a wind farm?
“Return on Energy” looks at the amount of energy paid back to society versus the energy needed in the lifetime of that turbine. Over the life cycle of a typical Vestas project, the wind farm will return 38 times more energy than it consumed. That means that when 1 kWh is invested in a wind energy solution, you get 38 kWh in return. For coal, however, if you invest 1 kWh you typically get 0.34 kWh in return.
Read more about the sustainability of Vestas wind farms and turbines as well as comparisons of energy payback and return on energy for other power sources.
WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT
What activities has WinterbourneWind undertaken during the development stage of the wind project?
Activities during the development stage of the wind farm have included:
- discussions with host landowners
- installation of wind monitoring equipment such as masts and, remote sensing units
- identification of potential wind turbine locations, and design of access routes and electrical infrastructure
- consultation with local councils and State/Federal government stakeholders
- engagement with the local community and project neighbours
- environmental impact assessment, including evaluation of potential biodiversity, noise, visual, traffic, socioeconomic, bushfire, heritage, aviation and other impacts
- preparation of State and Federal permitting applications and documentation
- grid connection studies in accordance with requirements set by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and the local network service provider (Transgrid)
- financial modelling
- project funding and investment decisions.
Project development is complex and requires continuous adjustment to meet the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) stringent environmental requirements and the challenging technical requirements of connecting a power station to the grid network.
How is the project being assessed?
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) will assess the project as a State Significant Development (SSD) under Division 4.7 of Part 4 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). This assessment will take into account the findings of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), as well as the Submissions Report, Amendment Report and subsequent Submissions Report in response to the Amendment Report. The EIS, Submissions Report and Amendment Report were prepared by qualified independent environmental consultants supported by specialist sub-consultants who completed detailed technical assessments of potential noise, visual, biodiversity, transport and other environmental impacts.
In addition, the project has been referred to the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
What has Winterbourne Wind Farm done to engage the community?
Winterbourne Wind Farm is committed to open and transparent engagement throughout the project. The team has been actively engaging with landholders, neighbours, the local community, government at all levels and local businesses since mid-2019. We have appreciated the opportunities to discuss the need for the project, the proposed layout and potential impacts, the opportunities for local jobs and businesses, and the community benefit fund which the project will generate for the Walcha and Uralla communities.
Information about the proposed project is available through several avenues, including the dedicated website, an 1800 number, a dedicated email, a Facebook page and a LinkedIn page.
We have a Project Office in Walcha which is open and staffed three days per week (Tuesday to Thursday) from 9am to 3pm since mid-2024.
We have hosted eight public information sessions for the local community. In addition, we have provided 18 project update newsletters for the community, conducted multiple surveys, and met or talked individually with project neighbours.
We set up a Community Consultative Committee, established in March 2021, for the EIS phase of the Project, which met seven times between March 2021 and August 2022.
We have consulted extensively with Walcha Council and Uralla Shire Council and with local stakeholders.
Of the 367 public submissions received for the Amendment Report, 70% were in support. Of the 204 public and organization local submissions from the local Walcha area, 60% were in support.
In total, we have logged over 2400 stakeholder interactions on this project, and we will continue our commitment to community engagement as the project moves forward.
How have First Nations People been engaged?
WinterbourneWind has followed the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation Requirements (ACHCRs) for proponents developed by the Office of Environment and Heritage (now Heritage NSW). Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) for the project, including the Amaroo Local Aboriginal Land Council, have been consulted extensively since 2020 and were actively involved with a comprehensive heritage field survey program.
PROJECT IMPACTS
Will there be an impact to biodiversity?
A wind farm project must satisfy the stringent biodiversity impact assessment requirements of both the NSW Government (via the Environmental Impact Statement) and the Australian Government (through the EPBC process).
Overall, we have undertaken six years of surveys and technical assessment for the proposed wind farm. The wind farm infrastructure has been preferentially sited in low-condition grassland areas to minimize impact to high-condition woody vegetation and threatened species who utilize this vegetation for habitat. We have significantly reduced the impact to native vegetation through careful design of turbine locations, hardstands, access tracks, and other infrastructure. The potential impact to biodiversity is documented in an Updated Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR), which has been lodged in June 2025 in response to comments from the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Science Directorate (BCS).
The Updated BDAR includes a revised turbine risk assessment that assesses the risk of bird and bat strike at each turbine using habitat factors including distance to woody vegetation, proximity to water sources and topographic features such as caves, ridgelines, and rocky outcrops, with the potential to be used by cave-dwelling microbats. Most turbines returned a low risk rating. No turbines were deemed to be high or very high risk.
The risk of vehicle strike to native fauna during project construction will be managed and mitigated through controls on vehicle movements, identifying any high-risk areas and implementing controls on vehicle speeds.
Vegetation clearing and residual impacts to flora and fauna species will be offset through the NSW Biodiversity Offset Scheme. In addition, a Bird and Bat Adaptive Management Plan will be developed before construction to define measures for reducing potential impact to avifauna during project construction and operation.
Will there be an impact to cultural heritage?
We will ensure cultural heritage is protected and will continue to consult with Aboriginal stakeholders during project construction.
Together with a specialist consultant and with assistance from Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs), WinterbourneWind completed cultural heritage surveys to identify items and locations of cultural significance within the proposed project area. Five field surveys have been conducted since 2020 over 286 person days totalling 2,288 hours of survey effort. These surveys identified 23 artefact sites. No evidence of human burials or skeletal material were recorded.
Seventeen of the 23 sites will be avoided by the project as they are either outside of the project footprint or will be protected during construction works. There are six sites that could potentially be harmed by the project, and these artefacts will be salvaged prior to construction in consultation with the RAPs.
The findings of the cultural heritage investigation are presented in an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report (ACHAR), included in the EIS and made available for public review and comment. An updated ACHAR is provided as part of the Amendment Report.
Will turbines affect property values?
Several studies commissioned by the NSW and Victorian governments have examined potential impacts of wind farms on property values and have found no evidence that wind farms lower rural property values, including the Assessment of the Impact of Wind Farms on Surrounding Land Values in Australia (Preston Rowe Paterson, 2013) available here:
Do wind farms impact livestock or farming operations?
The majority of wind farms are developed on agricultural land and wind turbines are very much compatible with existing farming operations. Turbines occupy only a small amount of land, and landowners can continue normal grazing or cropping activities. Livestock has often been seen using turbine towers for shade and shelter from wind and rain. The income provided to landowners hosting wind farm infrastructure can help make farms more resilient to the impacts of droughts, fires and commodity price fluctuations.
What is known about potential cumulative impacts of projects in the renewable energy zone?
We have assessed the cumulative impact of the wind farm in relation to other proposed and existing renewable energy projects according to NSW Planning guidelines.
There will likely be some overlap of construction periods with other State Significant Developments in the region however, we expect that potential impacts would only be short-term and could include workforce accommodation challenges or increased traffic on regional roads.
What is the economic impact?
The proposed project will create direct economic opportunities for local workers and local businesses, and indirect benefit for the local economy through the multiplier effect of economic activity. The Project is expected to generate approximately $150 million in direct wages and profits and more than $160 million in indirect wages and profits, per year of construction. During operations, the project is expected to generate approximately $25 million per year in direct and indirect economic benefit for the local region.
In addition, WinterbourneWind will provide one of the largest Community Benefit Funds of any renewable energy project in Australia, which will support community initiatives, services and infrastructure.
How will workers be accommodated for the project?
A workforce accommodation strategy will be developed if the project is approved. There may be an ebb and flow of workers and accommodation requirements but we expect that up to a third of the full-time workforce during construction will be from the local region.
Will there be a boom/bust cycle?
As well as local construction jobs the project will be able to provide around 16 long-term local service and maintenance jobs during operation. While the wind farm will have a design life of 30 years, the project may also be extended for a further operating period, presenting an opportunity for continuous new industry, skills, jobs and economic activity in Walcha and the broader region.
PROJECT BENEFITS
How will the community benefit from the project?
If the project is approved, WinterbourneWind will set up a Community Benefit Fund (CBF) and will provide $1,000,000 to the CBF when the project achieves financial commitment, and $750,000 annually to the CBF from the start of commercial operations through to project decommissioning (based on a delivered project up to 600 MW capacity). For every megawatt over 600 MW built, we will contribute an extra $1,000 per MW annually to the CBF. The annual payment will be adjusted for inflation according to the Consumer Price Index.
We have agreed with Walcha Council and Uralla Shire Council to document the CBF within a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA). The WinterbourneWind VPA has now been executed.
We look forward to providing funding for local infrastructure, facilities and services that will support the existing and future population and will contribute to greater amenity for the Walcha and Uralla communities.
In addition, the Social Impact Assessment of the proposed project found that the proposed project will generate more than $150 million in direct wages and profits, and more than $160 million in indirect wages and profits, per year of construction. Furthermore, during project operations, the project would be expected to generate around $25 million per year in direct and indirect economic benefit for the local region.
How will the Community Benefit Fund be managed?
The Community Benefit Fund (CBF) is documented within a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA). The WinterbourneWind VPA has now been executed. WinterbourneWind will provide money annually to the CBF, and each Council will manage allocation of the funds to community projects, services and infrastructure. Community advisory committees will be established to make recommendations to Council about the kinds of projects and services the community wants to invest in.
The funds will be split 90% to the Walcha community and 10% to the Uralla Shire community, which matches the relative geographic and infrastructure split of the proposed project within each Local Government Area.
How many jobs will the project create?
The project will create up to an estimated 390 new jobs during construction and around 16 long-term service and maintenance jobs during operation. A range of skills will be required, including engineering, trades (electrical, mechanical, construction), transport, building material providers, equipment operators, consultants and administrative staff.
How can I register my interest in working at or providing services to the wind farm?
Please send us an enquiry via our contact form with your contact details and details of your skills or services. We are maintaining a database of interested contractors and suppliers. We will hold contractor information nights in late 2025 as we get closer to the start of project construction.
PROJECT CONSTRUCTION
When will construction commence and how long will it take to build the wind farm?
We expect to begin construction in 2027, subject to development consent and grid connection approval. Construction will take around four years to complete.
Will water be required and where will it be sourced from?
We understand that water is a critically important issue for the Walcha community. During construction, water will be required for concrete batching, earthworks and dust suppression.
We will source water from on-site groundwater bores, subject to completion of appropriate licensing requirements.
Potable water for workers during construction will be sourced from the town or commercially available sources. Several water carting providers are available within the New England region to facilitate water demands during construction and operation. The local councils have been consulted and do not require any upgrades to local water infrastructure and utilities.
Will an on-site quarry be used for construction?
WinterbourneWind is proposing a temporary, on-site quarry as part of the project application. The sole purpose of the quarry will be to supply raw materials to the wind farm project. The quarry would be located on a small parcel of land within the existing project area, adjacent to the eastern end of Bark Hut Road.
The quarry would operate under an Environmental Protection license issued by the NSW Environmental Protection Agency. The quarry is expected to produce multiple products required to support construction of the wind farm, including road base products required for creation of access tracks and hardstands, coarse rubble and crushed rock products required for drainage mitigation, as well as products for use in public road upgrades.
The inclusion of an onsite quarry has significantly reduced the number of heavy vehicles travelling on local roads as raw materials for construction can be sourced within the Project area.
How will vehicles access the project area?
All vehicles will access the Project area through Walcha and then via Jamieson Street / Ohio Road / Emu Creek Road towards the site access points. Light vehicles will continue along Emu Creek Road and Winterbourne Road to access the northern and western portions of the Project, or via Moona Plains Road to reach the southern and eastern portions. Most heavy vehicles will travel to the north along Winterbourne Road and access the Project via various site access locations from the local road network and internal tracks.
In response to community concerns about oversize vehicles travelling along the Oxley Highway, we have revised the proposed oversize overmass (OSOM) route for the project. The proposed new route will travel along New England Highway until just south of Uralla at Staces Road. From Staces Road, a new road will be constructed through Crown Land which connects Staces Road to Thunderbolts Way. Vehicles will then turn right on Thunderbolts Way and travel south to Walcha, turning left at the Walcha Showground onto Jamieson Street. OSOM vehicles will then travel along several local roads, including Winterbourne Road, Blue Mountain Road and Bark Hut Road to access the project infrastructure. The new proposed transport route means that no inbound OSOM vehicles will utilise Oxley Highway. On the return leg, any OSOM vehicle which requires an escort will return along the same route, heading north on Thunderbolts Way and then south on the New England Highway. However, any vehicles which do not require an escort will utilise Oxley Highway on the return trip to the Port of Newcastle.
What are the hours of construction?
The hours of construction will be specified in the development approval. Typically, construction will occur during standard construction hours Monday through Friday 7am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to 6pm, with no work on Sundays and public holidays. When works need to happen outside these standard hours, we will provide advance notice and put in place measures to minimise disruption.
Has a traffic impact assessment been undertaken?
WinterbourneWind prepared a detailed traffic and transport assessment (TIA) for the EIS, which incorporates input from Walcha Council and other stakeholders. An Amended TIA has been lodged as part of Submissions Report No. 2.
The TIA concludes that the road network is able to accommodate the expected vehicle types and traffic volumes during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the project, subject to the implementation of proposed road upgrades and traffic management measures.
Two different types of vehicle movements have been assessed. The first is the impact of standard light and heavy vehicles, which generate the majority of the vehicle movements and represent the typical traffic impact of the project on a day-to-day basis. The second is the impact of the Oversize and/or Overmass (OSOM) vehicles, which are subject to separate permit applications and regulations.
Is there a transport management plan?
A Traffic Management Plan (TMP) will be prepared post-determination and will set out protocols to maintain road safety. The TMP will incorporate a range of traffic management and mitigation measures outlined in the Traffic Impact Assessment.
How will turbines be delivered to Walcha?
Turbine loads will originate from the Port of Newcastle and travel via Tamworth along the New England Highway. The delivery of larger plant associated with the turbines will be undertaken by Oversize and Overmass (OSOM) vehicles. Following review of EIS submissions, the OSOM transport route has been modified to avoid Oxley Highway. The project proposes to utilise a new route which follows the New England Highway to just south of Uralla, and then follows Thunderbolts Way back south towards Walcha.
The delivery of the turbine plant will be conducted by a specialist transport company with experience working on wind farm projects. Vehicles are subject to specific permits, ensuring the proposed delivery method is undertaken in a considered manner acceptable to the road authorities.
These trips are extraordinarily well-planned and coordinated to ensure public safety and traffic control where required. There will be lead and follow escort vehicles. Drivers can only work for a specified number of hours per day and given the length of the trip from Newcastle to Walcha, each trip will take two days. It is expected that the first day will be travel from Newcastle to Tamworth, where the driver will spend the night. On the second day, the driver will leave Tamworth at daylight and travel to Walcha, arriving around 3 hours after departure. Drivers are professional and highly experienced.
How many Oversize and/or Overmass (OSOM) vehicle trips will there be?
The amended TIA outlines an anticipated average of 16 OSOM vehicles will travel down Thunderbolts Way each week over approximately 24 months , which equates to 2 or 3 loads per day. OSOM trips are expected to commence around Month 18 of construction. All OSOM transport will be conducted outside of school bus hours.
Will local roads be affected by the transportation of the wind turbine blades and towers?
We plan to transport wind turbines and other heavy equipment on major roads, from the Port of Newcastle through Singleton and Muswellbrook on Highway A15 and then up the New England Highway until just south of Uralla at Staces Road. From Staces Road, a new road will be constructed through Crown Land which connects Staces Road to Thunderbolts Way. Vehicles will then turn right on Thunderbolts Way and travel south to Walcha, turning left at the Walcha Showground onto Jamieson Street.
Some local roads may need to be upgraded within the project area to accommodate heavy loads and construction traffic. For example, Bark Hut Road and part of Blue Mountain Road will likely be upgraded, and some culverts and causeways may also need to be strengthened.
Any local road upgrades will also be discussed and agreed with Walcha Council before construction.
Will traffic be impacted between Walcha and Bendemeer?
Following review of EIS submissions, we are proposing a new transport route for oversize and/or overmass (OSOM) vehicles which utilizes the New England Highway until just south of Uralla at Staces Road. From Staces Road, a new road will be constructed through Crown Land which connects Staces Road to Thunderbolts Way. Vehicles will then turn right on Thunderbolts Way and travel south to Walcha, turning left at the Walcha Showground onto Jamieson Street.
This new proposed transport route means that no inbound OSOM vehicles will utilise Oxley Highway, which addresses a major concern raised by the community during public exhibition of the EIS. On the return leg, any OSOM vehicle which requires an escort will return along the same route, heading north on Thunderbolts Way and then south on the New England Highway. However, any vehicles which do not require an escort will utilize Oxley Highway on the return trip to the Port of Newcastle.
Have you assessed the traffic impact on Thunderbolts Way?
A traffic expert has concluded that Thunderbolts Way and the local road network is able to readily accommodate the traffic generated by the Project during the construction, operation, and decommissioning periods.
We will upgrade local roads where necessary before construction to the satisfaction of the Council and Transport for NSW. The road network utilised by the project will be monitored and maintained to ensure continued safe use by all road users. Any damage attributed to project construction will be rectified.
Will you repair any damage to the roads within the Walcha district?
Maintenance and repair of roads is a standard condition of development consent and will be the subject of an agreement with Walcha Council. As the project proponent, we will be responsible for repair and maintenance of roads used for wind farm construction.
PROJECT OPERATIONS
Are there any health risks associated with wind farms?
Numerous reviews of research literature conducted by leading health and research organisations worldwide, including Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), have concluded there is no published evidence to link wind turbines with adverse health effects.
Will there be noise from the turbines?
Wind turbine movement creates sound; however, people generally find they can have a conversation at the wind turbine base without having to raise their voices.
The NSW Wind Farm Noise Guidelines specify some of the most stringent noise criteria in the world and are lower than comparable criteria in the US and Europe. The allowable level is somewhere between a whisper and a quiet library in terms of noise. This level is set to ensure that noise levels from wind turbines are compatible with surrounding land uses and to ensure that noise levels do not significantly affect the living experience of people residing in the area.
The noise assessment for the Winterbourne Wind Farm predicts the operational noise at all non-involved neighbouring dwellings will be lower than relevant noise criteria in accordance with the NSW Wind Farm Noise Guidelines. The EIS contains a detailed noise assessment. The noise impact assessment prepared for the EIS was updated to assess potential impacts relating to noise associated with the amended Project and noise levels are still lower than the relevant noise criteria.
The wind farm team will monitor noise during operations to ensure the actual operational noise does not exceed the relevant noise criteria.
Will the wind turbines require lights?
As part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project, we engaged a specialist consultant to prepare an Aviation Impact Assessment (AIA). The AIA prepared for the EIS has been updated to assess potential impacts relating to aviation associated with the amended Project (the Amended AIA).
The assessment evaluates existing aircraft operations (both commercial airlines and local operators) in the vicinity of the wind farm. Aviation lighting was assessed to not be required for wind turbines and met masts.
However, it is possible that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may still recommend lighting for aircraft safety. If lighting is required, it will be installed on the turbine nacelle, and will be shielded to reduce the amount of light visible at ground level.
Will the turbines affect local aerial spraying?
The potential impacts of aerial spraying were examined as part of the Aviation Impact Assessment. Aerial spraying is managed by shutting down relevant turbines while spraying takes place, something we do regularly at wind farms across Australia.
DECOMMISSIONING
How long will the wind farm operate?
The Winterbourne Wind Farm will have a design life of 30 years. At the end of this period, it may be possible to replace some equipment and extend the project for a further period. Such an extension would require a new development approval. The project may also be decommissioned.
What happens at the end of project operations?
The project will be decommissioned at the end of wind farm life. Decommissioning of wind farm infrastructure at the end of project life will be a legal condition of the development consent. In addition, contracts with landowners also require that wind turbines and other infrastructure are removed at the end of the lease term.
Who is responsible for decommissioning of the wind farm?
At the end of the project life, the wind farm owner will be fully responsible for plant decommissioning, including removing the wind farm infrastructure and rehabilitating the site in compliance with the conditions of development consent.
How will the project be decommissioned?
At the end of project life, the wind farm will be deconstructed in accordance with a Decommissioning Plan, which must be approved by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. Decommissioning will involve de-energising, disconnecting, dismantling, demolishing and removing the wind turbines and other operational infrastructure (e.g. maintenance buildings, substations and power lines). We will also rehabilitate roads and fencing in consultation with host landowners.
The method of decommissioning will depend on safety considerations and on options for potential re-sale of the equipment. If the equipment can be reused or refurbished, then decommissioning will be undertaken essentially as the reverse of construction, with blades, nacelle and tower sections removed carefully by crane and transported offsite to be delivered to another user, either within Australia or overseas. More likely, however, the equipment will no longer be suitable for re-use or it will not be economically viable to transport it to a new location. In this case, the equipment can potentially be brought down via controlled demolition and then cut up on the ground and transported offsite for recycling or disposal. This method will not require cranes or oversize vehicles and will thus be less disruptive to landowners and the community.
Are wind turbines recyclable?
The typical Vestas wind turbine is around 88% recyclable. This includes the steel which forms the tower and the aluminium and copper used in electrical equipment within the turbine. Vestas has announced a goal of achieving zero-waste wind turbines by 2040.
Can the turbine blades be recycled?
Turbine blades are constructed of carbon and glass fibre composites, polyurethane foam and epoxy adhesives. They are designed to endure harsh conditions over several decades, and blade materials are strongly linked together, resulting in durable structures that are challenging to break down.
The recycling process aims to separate the polymer (resin) and fibre composites. Once separated, the resins are usually used for energy production while the fibre can be reused or recycled. As the global wind industry continues to grow, and as increasing numbers of older wind farms require repowering or decommissioning, more commercial options for recycling of wind turbine blades are becoming available.
Vestas is currently upscaling a new chemical solution that can break down epoxy resin into virgin-grade materials. Once matured, this solution will eliminate the disposal of epoxy-based blades in landfills when decommissioned. In time, legacy blade material currently sitting in landfills and blade material in operational wind farms can be disassembled and re-used by applying this technology. The newly-developed solution supports Vestas’ goal of achieving zero-waste wind turbines by 2040.
The Walcha landfill will not be used for disposal of decommissioned turbine blades
What happens to the concrete foundation of the turbines?
The concrete foundations will be removed to a depth of at least 500 mm below ground surface, but the bulk of the foundation will be left in-situ. The excavated area will be backfilled with compatible local material and then covered with topsoil to ensure that grazing and farming activities can be resumed.
What happens to the access tracks?
In many cases, the access tracks built as part of the wind project will become a valuable asset for the host landowners. At the end of project life, we will consult with host landowners to determine if they would like the access tracks to remain or would like them rehabilitated. Access tracks which are no longer needed for farming operations will be covered with 200 mm of topsoil and seeded with native vegetation.
How much will project decommissioning cost?
A Decommissioning and Rehabilitation Assessment (DRA) commissioned by WinterbourneWind found that the total cost of project decommissioning and rehabilitation varied between approximately $28.8 million ($242,000 per turbine) and -$13.1 million (-$111,000 per turbine), depending on the demolition method, and net of the return from salvage. The lower figure (negative number) indicates that the value of the scrap metal recovered would more than offset the cost of decommissioning.
