Frequently asked questions

Project details

  • The project will consist of up to 348 wind turbines, generating approximately 2.5 gigawatts (GW) of low-cost renewable energy. The project site extends over approximately 86,000 hectares; however, only a portion of the land will be impacted during construction.

  • The project will likely use Vestas V172 7.2 MW turbines. These turbines will have a maximum blade tip height of up to 300m.

  • The project area is approximately 40km south-west of the Hay township within the Hay Shire and Edward River Local Government Areas (LGA) in southwestern New South Wales.

    The project area is within the South-West Renewable Energy Zone, which forms a key part of the NSW Government’s Electricity Strategy. This area has an abundance of wind and is near both existing and proposed transmission lines.  

Project benefits

  • The project will deliver significant benefits to the region and local communities, including:

    • 500-600 jobs during construction and 30-40 long-term.

    • generating up to 2.5 GW of new, low-cost renewable energy

    • contributing to NSW and Australia's renewable energy goals

    • generating clean, affordable energy to power over 1 million average NSW homes each year

    • encouraging investment in New South Wales' Hay region.

  • The project will provide significant financial benefits to the local community through direct and indirect economic contributions. This includes creating local jobs during both construction and operation, as well as opportunities for local contractors, suppliers, and service providers.

    Vestas will also offer neighbour benefit agreements, and work with councils, First Nations groups, and other community members to develop a dedicated Community Benefit Fund to support local initiatives and organisations.

    We have already established a Sponsorship and Grants Fund supporting community activities in the area, particularly within the Edward River, Hay, Balranald, and Murray River council areas. NGOs and local initiatives can apply for sponsorship by completing the application form.

    You can read more about the Sponsorship Fund and how to apply here.

Project construction

  • Thank you for your interest in job opportunities at Abercrombie Wind Farm.

    We are still in the early planning phase. If you or your business is interested in future opportunities, please use our Get in touch page or email us.

    Please include in your email the skills you offer and a link to your website if applicable.

    Construction and operation will require a range of skills, such as: engineering, trade (electrical, mechanical, construction), transport, building material providers, equipment operators, consultants, project management and administration.

  • Vestas will investigate the local roads and identify the most suitable transport route to the project site. Engagement with local councils, stakeholders and the wider community will influence the route chosen, using major roads to access the site when possible.

    The project team will determine a final route after consulting with Hay Shire Council, Edward River Council and Transport for NSW to identify any required upgrades.

    A Traffic Management Plan (TMP) will be prepared post-determination and will set out protocols to maintain road safety. The TMP will incorporate traffic management and mitigation measures outlined in the independent Traffic Impact Assessment that informs the Environmental Impact Statement.

  • As part of the NSW State Significant Development framework, independent technical specialists will conduct studies to assess potential impacts of the project on traffic and transport, landscape and visual amenity, noise, biodiversity, water, soils and agriculture, hazards, bushfire risk, aviation, Aboriginal and non-aboriginal heritage, air quality, social and economic matters, telecommunications and waste generation. 

    The independent studies propose mitigation measures where necessary and inform modifications to the project design to avoid and minimise impacts. All technical studies assess cumulative impacts, focusing on nearby State Significant Development projects.

    This detailed work forms part of the Environmental Impact Statement, which will be submitted to the NSW Government.

  • We have assessed the cumulative impact of the wind farm in relation to other proposed and existing renewable energy projects according to NSW Planning guidelines.

    There will likely be some overlap of construction periods with other State Significant Developments in the region which could create workforce accommodation challenges or increased traffic on regional roads. However, we expect that any potential impacts would be short-term.

Project operations

  • The project is anticipated to connect to the 330kV Project Energy Connect running between Buronga and Dinawan substations.

  • Wind turbines generate sound; however, people can generally maintain a conversation at the turbine's base without raising their voices. The wind speed and direction, topography, vegetation and distance from the turbine will impact how loud the turbines can be.

    The NSW Wind Farm Noise Guidelines specify some of the most stringent noise criteria in the world and are lower than comparable criteria in the US and Europe. The allowable noise level is somewhere between a whisper and a quiet library. This is to ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses and to ensure that noise levels do not significantly affect the living experience of local residents.

    The preliminary noise assessment for the Abercrombie Wind Farm predicts the operational noise at all non-involved neighbouring dwellings will be lower than relevant noise criteria in accordance with the NSW Wind Farm Noise Guidelines.

    As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process, further noise monitoring and impact assessment will be undertaken to ensure the operational noise at neighbouring dwellings complies with the guidelines. The project team will also monitor noise during operations to ensure the actual operational noise does not exceed the relevant noise criteria.

Project decommissioning

  • Decommissioning means returning the area to its previous land use.

    At the end of its operational life, the wind farm will be decommissioned in accordance with the development consent conditions.

    Decommissioning is the responsibility of the wind farm owner and a condition of the wind farm lease and will be an obligation under the project development consent issued by the Minister for Planning. The wind farm owner will set aside funds for decommissioning.

  • The Project team will rehabilitate the landscape to its original/ agreed conditions. Infrastructure built solely for servicing the wind farm will be removed, and the site will be restored to its original state.

    Vestas turbines are currently 88 per cent recyclable, with research and development underway to recycle the remaining 12 per cent.

    Decommissioning is fully funded by the wind farm owner.