Plans for an up to 600 megawatt wind farm and big battery in mid-north South Australia, on the traditional lands of the Ngadjuri People, have joined the queue of renewable energy projects seeking a federal green tick.
Australian renewables developer Wind Prospect is proposing to develop the Whyte Yarcowie wind farm up-to 83 turbine project on farmland in the northern Mount Lofty ranges, south of the township of the same name.
According to the project website, the project is backed by EDF Renewables Australia (EDF-R). The local arm of the global renewable giant is supporting Wind Prospect to progress Whyte Yarcowie to the next stages of development, with a view to acquiring it.
The website says the proposed location for the wind farm – around 20km north of Hallett – has been chosen for its high wind resource and location near existing transmission infrastructure.
The wind farm has also been submitted for application for a Renewable Energy Infrastructure Licence (REIL) under the state’s Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023. The REIL application remains under consideration.
Wind Prospect says it has prepared some preliminary Benefits Sharing Programs that aim to distribute benefits from the project to neighbouring landowners, residents and the community.
EPBC referral documents say the selected blade and hub height for the wind turbines will be configured so that the maximum tip height of each turbine does not exceed 250 metres above ground level.
South Australia is already running at a world-leading average of 72 per cent wind and solar over the last 12 months, and aims to reach 100 per cent “net” renewables by the end of 2027. This project will not be built by then but will potentially support the state moving beyond their target as they attract new green industries.
Wind Prospect is also proposing to develop a massive 930MW wind farm near the town of Eneabba in Western Australia, a region north of Perth known for its rare earth resources and “spectacular” Spring wildflower display.
At nearly 1GW and up to 140 turbines, the Twin Hills Wind Farm will rank as one of the state’s biggest, depending on the progress of other plans.
