Bango Wind Farm, NSW

Bango Wind Farm is located on Ngunnawal Country, 14km south of Boorowa and 30km north of Yass. It is the third largest operational wind farm in NSW. The 244MW wind farm became fully operational in 2023, producing enough electricity to power 144,000 homes and prevent 543,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Key Project Info

Wind turbines

46 x GE 5.3MW

Commercial operations

Early 2023

Maximum capacity

244MW

Annual output

748GWhs

PPA partners

Woolworths, Transurban, Snowy Hydro

144k
543k
320
$14m

Project Timeline

Step 1/13

Project identification and site selection

Identification and site selection is based on an analysis of opportunities and constraints including (but not limited to): distance to the electricity grid, wind resource and population density of the surrounding community. Our team then undertake a number of site visits and consultation with landowners in the area.

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Step 2/13

Project feasibility and community engagement

Site-specific investigations are undertaken to assess the impacts and opportunities of the project and feedback is sought from the local community.

Current Stage
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Step 3/13

Development Application and Environmental Impact Statement

A Development Application is made and an EIS prepared which involves a wide range of studies to address stakeholder feedback received to date and to consider the potential environmental and social impacts of the project.

Current Stage
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Step 4/13

Public exhibition and Submissions Report

The EIS is placed on public exhibition through the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. Interested members of the public are invited to have their say during the exhibition period by way of formal submissions. A Submissions Report is then prepared, which aims to respond to the submissions received.

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Step 5/13

Assessment and development consent

The project documents are assessed by the relevant government authorities. If determined, Development Consent is granted alongside a range of conditions specific to the project.

Current Stage
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Step 6/13

Post approval, contracting and financing

A lead contractor(s) to build the project is appointed and all pre-construction approvals and consents are finalised. During this phase, the lead contractor(s) is provided with a list of local businesses that have registered their interest and capabilities through the project website.

Current Stage
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Step 7/13

Procurement

During this phase our lead contractor(s) seek tenders and engage contractors and suppliers to undertake the scope of the works. Orders are then placed for major components such as the wind turbines.

Current Stage
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Step 8/13

Early works and design

Initial site activities commence, such as minor clearing and provision of access roads along with establishing a site construction compound. Off-site detailed design works commences in parallel.

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Step 9/13

Major civil works

During this phase of the construction the bulk of the civil works takes place. This includes the construction of new internal access roads, excavation and construction of the turbine foundations, installation of the internal electrical reticulation system, construction of the high voltage substation and main transmission line network.

Current Stage
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Step 10/13

Wind turbine erection

This is where the visual aspect of the wind farm starts to emerge, with large cranes lifting the tower sections, nacelle, hub and blades into place.

Current Stage
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Step 11/13

Commissioning

In order to export power to the grid, each turbine is required to undergo several performance tests. It is during this stage that you will start to see turbines spinning and ultimately the whole of the wind farm complete.

Current Stage
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Step 12/13

Operations

The project is operating in accordance with relevant approval conditions and management plans. Compliance with conditions of approval and management plans is monitored as required throughout the life of the project.

Current Stage
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Step 13/13

Decommissioning

The design life of the wind turbines will be at least 30 years. At the end of their useful life, the wind turbines and electrical equipment will be either replaced and the wind farm repowered, or the project will be decommissioned, and the site returned to its original use at the expense of the project.

Current Stage
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Squadron Energy in the community

St George Illawarra Dragons host Community Blitz in the Riverina

St George Illawarra Dragons, with major partner Squadron Energy, regularly run a Community Blitz in regional areas including the Riverina.

The initiative includes the Best You Can Be program, where the club visits schools and teaches students about resilience and the importance of developing healthy habits before game-related workshops are held. Local community programs also take place.

The latest Blitz in the Riverina had NRL star Ryan Couchman and Dragons community staff visit six schools in the region.

A Win the Morning event, where residents went for a walk across town and chat before receiving gifts, taking photos, and getting autographs, was also held in Gundagai.

NRLW star Grace Kemp from the Canberra Raiders was also on hand with the Raiders community team for visits to Bowning and Binalong.

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Rural Women’s Day backed by Squadron Energy

Squadron Energy has been a major sponsor of Rural Women’s Day events, which are held in multiple regional communities throughout the year.

This special event connects women living or working in the regions through community, collaboration and celebration.

It especially helps with networking, socialising and starting conversations.

Supported by Squadron Energy’s Bango Wind Farm, some of the rural towns where Rural Women’s Day events are held include Young, Coolac and Dubbo.

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Our community approach

Community Benefit Fund

A Community Benefit Fund has been established in the form of a Voluntary Planning Agreement with the Yass Valley Council and the Hilltops Council.

Bango Wind Farm will contribute $3.9m over the life of the project. The funds will be split between the two councils according to the number of the turbines installed within each local government area.

The funds will be allocated by each council to enhance community projects and initiatives in accordance with their community plan.

Voluntary Planning Agreement documents are provided below.

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Community Sponsorship

The Bango Wind Farm community sponsorship program provides funds or in-kind support to community organisations and events in the Yass Valley Shire and Hilltops Council areas.

The program supports initiatives that strengthen our local community, through programs that make a positive and lasting contribution.

Key areas for the program include:

  • Education and training initiatives
  • Community development programs
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Environmental initiatives

Applications are open for community sponsorship. Please contact us using the details below for more information about Bango Wind Farm community sponsorship opportunities. Download and complete the Community Sponsorship Application and forward with any relevant documentation to info@squadronenergy.com.

Community Sponsorship Guidelines & Application Form

Alternatively, you can complete and submit the form online via the link below.

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Community Consultative Committee

The purpose of a community consultative committee (CCC) is to provide a forum for open discussion.

It is a space for us to speak with representatives from the community, the council and other stakeholders about specific matters relating to the project.

The CCC follows the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Community Consultative Committee Guidelines for State Significant Projects. Meeting minutes are provided below.

If you would like to get in touch with your local CCC member, please contact the Independent Chairperson:

Lisa Andrews:
lisaandrews.ic@gmail.com

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Publicly Available Documents

State Environmental Assessment Documentation

Commonwealth Environmental Assessment Documentation

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About Squadron Energy

Squadron Energy is Australia’s leading renewable energy company that develops, operates and owns renewable energy assets in Australia. We are 100% Australian owned and we are here for the long term. We have 2 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy in operation and under construction. With proven experience and expertise across the project lifecycle, we work with local communities and our customers to lead the transition to Australia’s clean energy future.

Contact

Operations Manager

Grant Stepien

Email: bangowind@squadronenergy.com

Mailing Address

GPO Box 1858, Canberra ACT 2601

Complaints and Issues Contact Point:

Tel: 0489 928 631

Social Media

Bango Wind Farm on Facebook

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