Pottinger and Bullawah the Hay winners in renewable energy tender
Renewable energy developments approved in the South West Renewable Energy Zone.
South West Renewable Energy Zone’s approved projects: Graphic via Renew Economy.
By Tertia Butcher
Hay Shire Council has welcomed the announcement that Pottinger Wind Farm (Someva/AGL) and Bullawah Wind Farm (BayWa r.e) have been granted access under the South West Renewable Energy Zone Access Rights Scheme announced last Wednesday.
“This will be a real boost to our local economy,” Hay Shire Mayor Carol Oataway said.
“We’re looking forward to working with both Someva /AGL (Pottinger) and BayWa r.e (Bullawah) to ensure these developments benefit our community now and into the future.
“We also welcome the opportunity to work with our neighbouring councils, Murrumbidgee and Edward River to ensure the projects deliver the best outcomes for our communities.”
The projects will be the first to be developed since Hay was identified as the centre of the South West Renewable Energy Zone in November 2022.
The South West REZ will unlock a significant pipeline of large-scale renewable energy and storage projects, while supporting $2.8 billion in private investment by 2030 in the local region.
At its peak, the South West REZ is expected to support over 2,000 construction jobs.
“Representatives from Hay Shire Council are looking forward to continuing our advocacy for our community to ensure risks are managed and benefits maximised for the whole community. This will likely include jobs and training, investment in infrastructure and more,” Cr Oataway said.
“Hay Shire Council has consulted the community widely since the South West REZ was announced, so its team understands what changes the community wants to see to ensure the economy, community and environment can adapt and thrive into the future.
“This includes priorities to support healthy and connected communities, a prosperous regional economy, sustainable development, and thriving ecosystems.
“Hay is proud to be playing its part in the national energy transition. We have worked hard to develop ongoing relationships with the two developers.
“It’s important for us, as a community, to build relationships with the developers to ensure this transition happens with us, not to us, to ensure Hay remains a terrific place to live and work.”
Pottinger Wind Farm will be developed around the Booroorban region, and benefits have already been felt by the community.
Booroorban Sporting and Social Club vice-president, Duncan Fraser welcomes the announcement of the successful REZ tenders for access rights to the electricity grid in the South-West REZ.
BSSC has already been the recipient of funding from Pottinger and looks forward to ongoing support as the renewable energy infrastructures are constructed and operated,” Mr Fraser said.
“The benefits to a small community like Booroorban are considerable as well as to the wider towns of Hay and Deniliquin.”
The proposed Pottinger Energy Park is being jointly developed by Someva Renewables and AGL Energy on district properties West Burrabogie and Wargam.
Under the Access Right, the proposed Pottinger Energy Park will include up to 831 megawatts (MW) of wind which is expected to provide electricity to power the equivalent of the annual needs of over 510,000 average NSW households.
If approved, the project could create up to 550 jobs at peak construction and 35 ongoing roles throughout its operational life. A final decision on development approval is expected in the coming months, with construction expected to start by the end of 2026.
“The Pottinger Energy Park is expected to provide a major boost to the Riverina’s economy and make a lasting contribution to NSW’s renewable energy ambitions,” Jamie Chivers, Managing Director of Someva Renewables said.
“The Community Benefit Fund, administered through Hay Shire Council and Edward River Council, will begin to flow from construction – expected by the end of next year.”
Bullawah Wind Farm has been granted Access Right of 262.3 MW as part of the New South Wales (NSW) Government’s Renewable Energy Zone access scheme.
The proposed wind farm being developed by BayWa r.e. is situated south of Oolambeyan National Park, within Hay and Murrumbidgee Shires and Edward River Council.
“We are proud that Bullawah Wind Farm has been recognised as one of the leading projects in the South West REZ,” Chief Operating Officer of BayWa r.e., Daniel Gäfke said.
“This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering projects that benefit local communities while helping meet state and national energy targets,” BayWa r.e. COO, Daniel Gäfke said.
BayWa r.e. looks forward to continued collaboration with First Nations partners, community groups, and regional businesses.
Sponsorship over the past two years have benefitted Hayland Gathering, CWA, Hay Public School, Girl Guides, Junior Magpies and Hay Golf Club as well as the Country Education Fund and NAIDOC Day activities.
Other successful Access Right tenders announced last week were Yanco Delta Wind Farm (10 km north west of Jerilderie) 1460 MW and Dinawan Energy Hub, halfway between Coleambally and Jerilderie near Transgrid's Dinawan Substation, 1007 MW.
Pottinger, Dinawan, and Bullawah wind farm projects had to take major reductions in their proposed capacity due to insufficient allocations.
Missing out altogether were two of the bigger players, ENGIE (The Plains Renewable Energy Park) along the Cobb Highway at Hay and the Junction Rivers project (formerly Burrawong Wind Farm) located 10 km from the township of Kyalite and 15 km from Balranald.
