Construction has begun on Squadron Energy’s 69-turbine, 414MW Uungula Wind Farm in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), which is set to be the largest wind farm in New South Wales.
The farm also has an approved connection to the existing transmission grid, the infrastructure for which is set to be built, owned, operated and maintained by Transgrids commercial arm, Lumea.
Squadron Energy is a wholly owned portfolio company of Tattarang. Tattarang Chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest, said that he was committed to financing Squadron’s 14GW development pipeline to support the Federal Government in achieving its renewable energy targets.
“The time for talk is over, we are investing right now in Australia’s green energy transition and creating jobs and economic development for regional Australia,” Mr Forrest said.
Tattarang Director, Nicola Forrest, who grew up on a farm at Spicers Creek just a few kilometres from the site of Uungula Wind Farm, said she was proud to be investing in the local community.
“Projects such as Uungula Wind Farm can be a positive force for regional communities that create not just jobs but build skills and broader economic opportunities,” Ms Forrest said.
“I’m so pleased that this area near Wellington will be at the forefront of the green energy transition and that we will be able to create long term positive impacts both directly and indirectly through this commitment to the community.”
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said that the Federal Government welcomes the beginning of construction on the Uungula Wind Farm, as well as Squadron Energy’s 14GW renewable and storage development pipeline.
“These projects are further proof renewable energy investors are getting on with the job, capitalising on Australia’s huge renewable potential, and helping transform our energy grid for the 21st century,” Mr Bowen said.
“Firmed renewable energy and storage is not only the cheapest form of energy but provides crucial reliability as increasingly old and unreliable coal fired power stations inevitably exit the system.”
Squadron Energy CEO, Jason Willoughby, said that the Uungula Wind Farm will strengthen the regional New South Wales economy and reduce the cost of electricity.
“This project will create more than 260 jobs for regional New South Wales and inject about $41 million into the local economy. We’re excited to be working with our project partners on the first New South Wales wind farm to move into delivery since 2022,” Mr Willoughby said.
“Once fully operational, this wind farm will prevent more than 560,000t of carbon emissions being released into the atmosphere annually, playing an important role in addressing climate change.”
Lumea will deliver the transmission infrastructure that will connect the wind farm to the energy grid. This infrastructure includes:
- 330kV switching station
- 330kV single circuit transmission line (approximately 11.6km)
- 330/33kV wind farm substation and associated works
Lumea Executive General Manager, Paul Maguire, said that the Lumea team is very pleased to be involved in this project and that it is looking forward to working with Squadron Energy to safely connect the wind farm to the network as quickly as possible.
Featured image: The site of the Uungula Wind Farm. Image credit: Squadron Energy.
