Spicers Creek Wind Farm, Central West Orana, NSW

The proposed Spicers Creek Wind Farm is located on Wiradjuri Country, west of Gulgong and north east of Wellington, within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone. The proposed wind project currently comprises up to 117 wind turbines and battery energy storage.

Key Project Info

Expected capacity

700MW

Planning

Project Determination

Local Government Areas

Dubbo Regional Council and Warrumbungle Shire Council

395k+
650k
700MW
330+

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.

Current Stage
DSCF1273

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

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
Pexels pixabay 357514

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.

Current Stage
IMG 80711

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
SQE Office 12 C

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
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
DSCN6131

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
4 170607 WTG wide

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
CWP Crudine Ridge Wind Farm JOW 201125 0131

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
20231113 i Phone Bango Wind Farm 72

Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone

The NSW Government has set out a plan to deliver a number of Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) within the State. The first of these areas is in the Central-West Orana region around Dubbo and Wellington.

A REZ involves the coordinated development of new grid infrastructure in energy rich areas to connect multiple renewable energy generators (such as solar and wind farms) in the same location.

The designation of a REZs is intended to result in the development of additional capacity for renewable electricity generation, producing low-cost power for NSW homeowners and business, driving down carbon emissions within the electricity generation sector, and importantly, driving up job growth and employment opportunities through enabling significant investment into the regions.

For more information on the Central West-Orana REZ, including an indicative location, visit https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/renewable-energy-zones

Community

The wellbeing of the community is a core component of our work. Our approach to engaging with the local community is both genuine and lasting. We own our projects from development right through to operations. This gives us unrivalled experience through the entire project life and provides us with a deep-founded respect for people, communities and the environment.

Our team work respectfully with the communities in which we work, are sensitive to environmental and cultural values and aims to make a positive contribution to the regions in which we operate.

We welcome your contact and feedback should you have any questions or concerns about the proposed Spicers Creek Wind Farm.

CWP Sapphire Wind Farm JOW 201112 7532  
I Stock 00 IMG Housing EOI  

Accommodation register

We are compiling a register of local accommodation opportunities that are available, or will become available, during the development, construction and operation of the wind farm.

Accommodation could be used for short-term stays, for example when environmental studies are being carried out by consultants during development, and for longer-term stays such as during construction.

Spicers Creek Wind Farm is expected to support up to 430 jobs during construction, as well as 12 ongoing jobs during operations.


Local contractors and service providers are encouraged to register their interest for supplying goods and services

CWP Sapphire Wind Farm JOW 201112 7400  

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

Project Manager

Trish McDonald

Email: spicerscreekwind@squadronenergy.com

Tel: 1800 095 754

Mailing Address

PO Box 1708, Newcastle, NSW 2300

Newsletter

Receive the latest Spicers Creek Wind Farm project updates straight to your inbox