$569 M wind farm approved in Australia
Bowmans Creek Wind Farm, planned by Ark Energy, has been approved by the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission.
Image for illustration purposes.
Australia, NSW: The $569 million project in the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) has been approved by the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission. The $569 million project must abide by strict conditions, for example, fewer turbines than originally proposed.
Bowmans Creek Wind Farm was planned as a 347 MW wind farm of 56 turbines up to 220 m high, owned by Ark Energy. The then Department of Planning and Environment completed its whole-of-government assessment of the project in November 2023. The project was referred to the Commission for determination due to objections from at least 50 people.
After meeting with stakeholders, a site inspection, a locality tour, and a public meeting, the Commission Panel granted development consented to the project on 6 February, subject to strict conditions. It announced that the proposed site is suitable for renewable energy development given its location within the Hunter-Central Coast REZ, proximity to existing electricity transmission networks, topography, wind resources, access to the regional road network, and avoidance of major environmental constraints.
The Commission acknowledged concerns and imposed strict conditions of consent to mitigate several of the issues raised, for example, limiting the development to a maximum of 54 turbines (335 MW). Visual impact mitigation measures including landscape screening on the land of any non-associated residence within 4.4 km of a turbine, undertaking noise monitoring and publishing the results on its website, and managing traffic and transport impacts are also required.
Source: utilitymagazine.com.au
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