Our projects

Sapphire Wind Farm

Woodstock, New South Wales

Sapphire Wind Farm is located on Ngarabal, 18km west of Glen Innes, in the New England region of northern NSW. It is one of the largest operational wind farm in New South Wales and has helped the ACT Government meet its target of 100% renewables in 2020 by providing a long term power purchase agreement.

75 x Vestas 3.6MW (137m hub height)

Wind turbines

Novermber 2018

Commercial operations

207MW

Maximum capacity

764GWh

Annual output

ACT Government, Commonwealth Bank, Flow Power, Fujitsu, Nestle, Transurban

PPA partners

148k

Homes powered

511k

Tonnes of emissions avoided

259

Direct jobs created

$25m

Regional investment

Project updates

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Project timeline

Step 1

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.

Project identification and site selection

Step 2

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.

Project feasibility and community engagement

Step 3

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.

Development Application and Environmental Impact Statement

Step 4

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.

Public exhibition and submissions report

Step 5

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.

Assessment and development consent

Step 6

Post approval, contracting and financing

A lead contractor(s) to build the projectis 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.

Post approval, contracting and financing

Step 7

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.

Procurement

Step 8

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.

Early works and design

Step 9

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.

Major civil works

Step 10

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.

Wind turbine erection

Step 11

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.

Commissioning

Step 12

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.

Operations

Step 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.

Decommissioning

Step 1

Project identification and site selection

Step 2

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.

Project feasibility and community engagement

Step 3

Development Application and Environmental Impact Statement

Step 4

Public exhibition and submissions report

Step 5

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.

Assessment and development consent

Step 6

Post approval, contracting and financing

Step 7

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.

Procurement

Step 8

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.

Early works and design

Step 9

Major civil works

Step 10

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.

Wind turbine erection

Step 11

Commissioning

Step 12

Operations

Step 13

Decommissioning

Sapphire
Community Fund

Giving $3.75M Back
to the Community

The Community Fund is one of Sapphire Wind Farm’s commitments to give back to the community in a tangible and long-term way. The fund is split between the Inverell Shire Council and the Glenn Innes Severn Council based on the number of turbines installed in each area.

Two of the seventy-five turbines are in the Glenn Innes Severn Council area. Sapphire Wind Farm contributes $5k annually to the Glenn Innes Council community fund. The remaining annual contribution of $182.5k is allocated to the S355 Sapphire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund which is administrated by the Inverell Shire Council.

Applications are taken in two rounds each year. Local non-profits can request funding for the purchase of small equipment and infrastructure, renovation and rehabilitation projects, and assistance with new programs and events.

The full list of the funding recipients can be found on the Inverell Shire Council website.

For more information, please refer to the information provided on this page or call Council on (02) 6728 8288.

Squadron Energy in the community

Support for disadvantaged youth at Inverell centre

Squadron Energy has supported the Inverell Community Youth Centre so that essentials such as hot food can be provided for disadvantaged youth in the area.

The Inverell Community Youth Centre was a recipient of Squadron Energy’s Sapphire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund in 2025.

This led the organisation to register their shuttle bus, which has been used to transport young people to and from the centre and to planned events safely.

It has provided healthy, hot meals, snacks and activities for young people to engage in and socialise with one another.

Squadron Energy’s contribution has also been used to publish material with details of support services for young people affected by homelessness, mental health issues and domestic violence.

Inverell Aquatic Centre opening

Squadron Energy supported the multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the Inverell Aquatic Centre – a highly popular local leisure spot.

The high-end recreational facility went through months of construction and progress before opening to the public in early 2025.

The centre was officially granted World Aquatics Accreditation, which currently makes it the only aquatic centre in northern NSW to hold this title.

Features of the updated facility include a modern, eight lane indoor/outdoor pool, splashpad, toddlers pool, training rooms and a 20 metre warm water program pool, with learn to swim lessons, aqua aerobics, and group exercise classes on offer.

The facility was backed by Squadron Energy’s Sapphire Wind Farm.

Significant investment in celebrated Grafton to Inverell race

The annual Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic has been backed by Squadron Energy’s Sapphire Wind Farm for several years.

The prestigious event was first held in 1961 and has been steadily growing from a small region race to one of the country’s most renowned cycling tracks.

It is one of the most challenging cycle races in Australia, featuring rough terrain and a testing 228-kilometre distance that drives participants to push themselves to their limits.

The track is regularly attempted by top cycling competitors from both across the nation and internationally.

Squadron Energy became the race’s 2025 Naming Rights Sponsor.

New coffee machine for Rotary Club of Inverell

The Rotary Club of Inverell received funding from Squadron Energy’s Sapphire Wind Farm to purchase a new coffee machine for their mobile coffee van.

The community organisation was one of 12 which shared in almost $90,000 of funding from round one of the 2025 Sapphire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

They used $10,000 of funding to purchase the new machine as the current one in use was aging and getting difficult to use.

The club’s mobile van is usually stationed at local community events in Inverell, serving coffee to people at markets, the Christmas Fair, netball carnivals and events hosted at the National Transport Museum.

Support for disadvantaged youth at Inverell centre

Squadron Energy has supported the Inverell Community Youth Centre so that essentials such as hot food can be provided for disadvantaged youth in the area.

The Inverell Community Youth Centre was a recipient of Squadron Energy’s Sapphire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund in 2025.

This led the organisation to register their shuttle bus, which has been used to transport young people to and from the centre and to planned events safely.

It has provided healthy, hot meals, snacks and activities for young people to engage in and socialise with one another.

Squadron Energy’s contribution has also been used to publish material with details of support services for young people affected by homelessness, mental health issues and domestic violence.

Inverell Aquatic Centre opening

Squadron Energy supported the multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the Inverell Aquatic Centre – a highly popular local leisure spot.

The high-end recreational facility went through months of construction and progress before opening to the public in early 2025.

The centre was officially granted World Aquatics Accreditation, which currently makes it the only aquatic centre in northern NSW to hold this title.

The facility was backed by Squadron Energy’s Sapphire Wind Farm.

Significant investment in celebrated Grafton to Inverell race

The annual Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic has been backed by Squadron Energy’s Sapphire Wind Farm for several years.

The prestigious event was first held in 1961 and has been steadily growing from a small region race to one of the country’s most renowned cycling tracks.

It is one of the most challenging cycle races in Australia, featuring rough terrain and a testing 228-kilometre distance that drives participants to push themselves to their limits.

The track is regularly attempted by top cycling competitors from both across the nation and internationally.

Squadron Energy became the race’s 2025 Naming Rights Sponsor.

New coffee machine for Rotary Club of Inverell

The Rotary Club of Inverell received funding from Squadron Energy’s Sapphire Wind Farm to purchase a new coffee machine for their mobile coffee van.

The community organisation was one of 12 which shared in almost $90,000 of funding from round one of the 2025 Sapphire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

They used $10,000 of funding to purchase the new machine as the current one in use was aging and getting difficult to use.

Our community approach

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, Inverell Shire and Glen Innes Severn Shire Councils and other stakeholders about specific matters relating to the wind 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:

Michael Silver:

mg.silver@bigpond.com

Community investment

We are proud to be pioneering Australia’s first, large-scale, public, community investment into a utility-scale wind farm. The Sapphire Wind Farm Community Co-investment allows members of the local community to invest in the Sapphire Wind Farm.

VPA documents are provided below.