Murra Warra I Wind Farm, Victoria

Murra Warra I Wind Farm is located in North Western Victoria, 25km north of Horsham between the Henty Highway and the Blue Ribbon Road. The wind project has a capacity of 226MW and is comprised of 61 turbines. Murra Warra I Wind Farm generates enough energy to power more than 200,000 homes and prevent around 765,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Key Project Info

Wind turbines

61

Commercial operations

August 2020

Maximum capacity

226MW

Annual output

1,000GWh

PPA partners

Telstra, ANZ, Coca Cola Amatil, the University of Melbourne and Monash University

200k+
765k
144
$42m

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, potential impacts on ecology and population density of the surrounding community. Our team then undertake a number of site visits and consultation with key stakeholders and local community.

Current Stage
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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
160m Mast

Step 3/13

Planning Permit and EES

Prior to applying for a planning permit, a referral is made to the Victorian Minister for Planning to determine if an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) is required. If required, the EES preparation is done in parallel with the planning application. If not required, a planning application is submitted, addressing environmental and social impacts, which is also assessed by the Minister for Planning.

Current Stage
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Step 4/13

Public exhibition

When the Minister is satisfied that the planning application is suitable it is released for public comment. During this time the public can make written submissions.

Current Stage
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Step 5/13

Assessment and development consent

The Minister for Planning may appoint a panel to evaluate the project. Hearings take place and project documents are assessed by relevant government authorities. The panel reports to the Minister for Planning with recommendations. If the project is approved, a planning permit is granted with project-specific conditions.

Current Stage
SQE Office 12 C

Step 6/13

Post approval, contracting and financing

A lead contractor(s) is appointed to build the project 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
SQE Office 3 C

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.

Current Stage
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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
01 Final foundation pour 2

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
SWF 03 Sapphire Wind Farm landscape 230724 12

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
CWP Sapphire Wind Farm JOW 201111 7104

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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IMG 4573 Niel DC  

Western Victoria Renewable Energy Zone (REZ)

The Victorian Government has identified six areas within the State as Renewable Energy Zones. Murra Warra I Wind Farm is located in the Western Victoria REZ.

Renewable Energy Zones involve the coordinated development of new grid infrastructure in energy rich areas, to connect multiple renewable energy generators (such as wind farms) in the same location.

Community

20211015 065416  

Squadron Energy in the community

Murra Warra I Wind Farm is committed to supporting the local community through its Sustainable Community Grant Fund, supporting local community projects.

The MWWF Sustainable Community Grant Fund is made up of the Murra Warra Wind Farm Stage 1 and Stage 2 projects, with a total of $99,000 committed to the Fund each year. The Fund promotes social and environmental sustainability initiatives through supporting educational, environmental, and community-based projects that are consistent with the principles of sustainable development.


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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 have 1.1 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy in operation and 900MW under construction. We are committed to launching 14GW of projects by 2030, powering the equivalent of six million homes.

Contact

Operations Manager

Chris Gulvin

Tel: 1800 940 487
Email: murrawarrawind@squadronenergy.com

Mailing Address

GPO Box 1858, Canberra ACT 2601

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