Clean, renewable energy to power up to 700,000 homes a year has been given the green light with the NSW Government's approval for the Yanco Delta wind farm in the state's South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
The 1500-megawatt wind farm will be developed by Virya Energy around 10 kilometres north-west of Jerilderie on a 33,000-hectare site in the Murrumbidgee and Edward River Local Government Areas.
The project will involve the construction of 208 wind turbines with a maxiumum tip height of 270 metres, an 800 megawatt battery energy storage facility and grid connection infrastructure.
Public exhibition of the project's Environmental Impact Statement saw overall support, and the Department of Planning and Environment has been engaging closely with local councils, residents and government agencies.
The project is estimated to save between 2.8 million and 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year, making a significant contribution to the state's Net Zero targets and Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.
Potential impacts would be managed through strict conditions including road upgrades and maintenance, implementation of management plans and a range of mitigation and adaptive management measures.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:
"This is fantastic news for New South Wales and for the South West of the state. It means more clean energy, more jobs and local investment and we're another step closer to achieving our Net Zero targets.
"Over the next decade, three of the 4 remaining coal fired generators in New South Wales are scheduled to retire, removing around 7,400 megawatts of dispatchable electricity generation from the system.
"Renewable energy developments like this one in the South West Renewable Energy Zone are critical to our energy future, so we can ensure there is enough renewable energy to replace aging coal-fired power stations."
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"Local residents and stakeholders have played a vital role in the work to get this project over the line, and it's set to deliver positive local benefits including up to 300 jobs in construction and 30 jobs in operation.
"208 wind turbines producing around 1500 megawatts is more than the entire generating capacity of the Mount Piper coal fired power station near Lithgow, west of the Blue Mountains.
"This is a great way to end to 2023. With 18 renewable energy projects under assessment that could provide enough energy to more than 2,740,000 households a year, 2024 will likely be an even stronger year for adding more renewable energy to the NSW grid."
