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.

  • Wind speed is critical to energy generation. Over three years of continuous on-site wind monitoring, the Abercrombie site has consistently recorded wind speeds that rank it among the best wind resources in NSW, providing the strong and reliable conditions needed for efficient, large-scale energy generation.

    The site features predominantly flat terrain, which simplifies construction logistics and turbine layout. This reduces civil works requirements, enables efficient access, and allows turbines to be optimally spaced to maximise energy capture.

    The surrounding land is primarily used for grazing, which is highly compatible with wind farm infrastructure. Turbines and associated works occupy a relatively small footprint, allowing agricultural activities to continue largely uninterrupted alongside the project.

    Additionally, the low-density rural character of the area enables appropriate separation distances between infrastructure and neighbouring residences, helping to minimise amenity impacts for the local community.

Project benefits

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

    • substantial investment in New South Wales' Hay region

    • 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

    • powering over 1 million average NSW homes each year

    • training and development of new skilled labour in the region in the growing energy industry

    • upgrades to some local roads and the construction of new access roads that may support emergency response activities in the future.

  • 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.

  • Abercrombie is expected to enter into a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) with Hay Shire and Edward River councils to establish a Community Benefit Fund for the project.

    The VPA will outline our commitments to provide initial and ongoing contributions, as well as each Council’s role in administering the fund.

  • Wind energy contributes to a stable power supply when integrated into a well-managed system. While output varies with weather conditions, developers use advanced monitoring and wind resource analysis to accurately forecast generation, enabling grid operators to plan ahead and match supply with demand.

    Stability can be further enhanced by integrating battery energy storage systems (BESS) with wind farms. These systems store excess electricity when generation is high and release it when it drops, helping smooth fluctuations and improve reliability.

    Abercrombie Wind Farm proposes to include up to two 500 MW BESS units (approximately 2,000 MWh of storage), supporting more reliable energy supply and strengthening overall energy security.

Project construction

  • Thank you for your interest in job opportunities at Abercrombie Wind Farm.
    If approved, the Abercrombie Wind Farm will create up to 600 new jobs during construction and up to 40 long-term roles during operation.

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

    The Service Team will include wind turbine technicians, managers, warehouse and administrative staff in permanent roles based in the Hay Shire and Edward River regions.

    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.

  • Vestas will prepare a detailed traffic and transport assessment to identify the most suitable routes to the project site, which will be included in the EIS. Engagement with local councils, stakeholders and the wider community will help inform route selection, with preference given to major roads where possible.

    We will also work with road authorities and local councils to develop a Traffic Management Plan prior to construction, outlining how traffic and transport will be managed to ensure safe and efficient movement.

  • 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.

  • Abercrombie will work closely with contractors, local communities, neighbours and local councils to plan and manage construction activities to minimise disturbance.


    Construction management will include:
    • regular and ongoing communication with the community
    • working within standard construction hours as much as possible
    • proactively communicating with affected stakeholders when work outside standard hours or potentially disruptive activities are required
    • maintaining a strong safety culture
    • undertaking environmental monitoring.

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.

  • Numerous reviews by leading health and research organisations worldwide, including Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), have found no evidence linking wind turbines to adverse health effects.

  • Wind farms and aerial spraying already coexist in agricultural regions across Australia, with flight plans accounting for turbines and other obstacles, and because spraying occurs in low wind conditions (below 15 km/h) while turbines typically only operate above 11 km/h, they are often still during spraying activities.

  • Several studies commissioned by the NSW and Victorian governments have found no evidence that wind farms reduce the value of rural properties.

  • A Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) is a mandatory component of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for state significant developments such as wind farms, and the project will be designed to minimise fire risk and ensure the site can be defended during a bushfire, with input from relevant fire authorities on mitigation and management measures.

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.