Construction approval: Pottinger wind farm allowed, subject to conditions

Project proponents Someva Renewables and AGL Energy said this moves the project closer to a late 2026 construction start date, depending on final investment decisions.

It also triggers a period of increased employment and economic development.

The project valued at about $26 million for the economy, plus “tens of millions in indirect benefits”, such as host and neighbour payments and broader economic stimulus through new job and business creation.

Pottinger Energy Park is also expected to create up to 900 construction jobs, and 55 ongoing operational roles.

The project is located off the Cobb Highway at Booroorban, about 60km south of Hay and 75km north of Deniliquin and built across the Hay Shire and Edward River council boundaries.

The state significant development application was referred to the ICP for determination because more than 50 public objections were made to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure during its assessment of the project.

The three-member panel - comprising chair Richard Pearson, Sarah Dinning and Michael Wright - met with key stakeholders, conducted a site inspection and locality tour, and held public meetings in Hay and Deniliquin where they heard from 33 speakers and received 56 written submissions.

In its ‘Statement of Reasons for Decision’, the ICP found that “the site is particularly suitable for this project due to its strong wind resource, sparse population, direct access to the electricity grid and minimal impact on agricultural activities” and it “supports the NSW Government’s commitments to transition to clean energy”.

It did, however, propose a number of conditions to consent, based on concerns raised through submissions relating to the energy transition, biodiversity, socio-economic and cumulative impacts.

Conditions include avoiding impacts on threatened ecological communities and species (including the endangered Plains-wanderer), minimising road and traffic disruptions, ensure responsible waste management and manage cumulative impacts in the context of other renewable energy projects within the South West Renewable Energy Zone and the broader region.

The project proponents must also develop an Accommodation and Employment Strategy that prioritises local employment and ensures the provision of on-site accommodation and health services.

A comprehensive Emergency Plan and Decommissioning and Rehabilitation Plan must also be produced.

While it has IPC approval for up to 1,300MW, the Access Right announced by EnergyCo in April this year only allows an initial 831MW to proceed.

This initial phase of development will include the construction of up to 140 wind turbines supported by a 400 MW/1,600 MWh battery connected to the Project EnergyConnect transmission network.

Known as the VNI West project, and being delivered by Transgrid, the transmission network runs between Jerilderie and Swan Hill.

Its environmental impact statement has recently been finished and is now open for public exhibition.

Community information sessions on the submission process will be hosted in the network zone throughout August (see ad on page 7).

Someva Renewable managing director Jamie Chivers and AGL general manager power development Travis Hughes both said the approval for Pottinger to go ahead is a “landmark moment” for the project and the Riverina.

“We’re proud of the deep community support Pottinger Energy Park has received since Someva Renewables and AGL first started meeting face to face with landholders, local councils and the broader community in 2021,” he said.

“I’d like to thank all of those involved in the project to date - including our joint venture partner AGL, our project hosts and neighbours, local landholders, the Edward River and Hay Shire Councils as well as local First Nations, business and community groups.

“We also note the IPC’s conditions of consent and look forward to working with our partners at AGL to implement these requirements through construction and operation.”