Coonerang Wind Farm
Someva Renewables proudly acknowledges that Coonerang Wind Farm is located on the lands of the Ngarigo people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and value working with First Nations groups on renewable energy projects.
Project Overview
The proposed Coonerang Wind Farm project is located approximately 15 kilometres south of Cooma in NSW’s Snowy-Monaro region.
The project is located on the lands of the Ngarigo people within a region blessed with renewable energy resources. The Snowy-Monaro region is home to a number of wind energy developments such as the Boco Rock Wind Farm as well as the iconic Snowy Hydro Scheme.
If approved, the Coonerang Wind Farm will feature 25 wind turbines supported by advanced battery storage technology with the capacity to generate 150MW of clean, affordable and reliable energy – enough to power 62,000 Australian homes.
The Coonerang Wind Farm has been granted ‘State Significant Development’ status from the NSW Government in recognition of the important role it could play in powering NSW’s transition to renewable energy and in boosting the local economy.
To find out more, download the fact sheet below.
DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET
Creating up to 82 full-time jobs through construction and operation
Operating in harmony with agriculture including local sheep grazing
Powering 62,000 homes
Advanced battery storage technology
Protecting the local environment such as Monaro grasslands and the grassland earless dragon
Protecting culturally significant Indigenous sites
25
Wind Turbines
100
Australian-owned and operated
62,000
Clean, affordable and reliable power for 62,000 homes
150
Megawatts of clean energy
Interactive Map
Click to view turbine locations and zoom in for project layout
TurbinesEstimated Project Timeline
2022-23
Initial community consultation, wind monitoring and Scoping Report.
SEARs received from the Secretary of the NSW Department of Planning.
COMPLETED
2023-24
Preparation of Environmental Impact Statement and development application (DA).
UNDERWAY
2024-25
Public exhibition of the Environmental Impact Statement and ongoing community consultation.
UNDERWAY
2025
NSW Government determination of development application.
2025
Construction to start pending final approvals.
2026-27
Procurement, early works and final design established.
2029
Operations and energy generation to begin.
Project Community Benefits
Someva is deeply committed to implementing a tailored community co-design process that ensures communities share in and benefit from our renewable energy projects.
Our co-design process means we spend time in regional communities listening to, and working with regional communities to ensure our projects deliver tailored economic, social, and environmental outcomes. This means we:
- Take input to improve the design of the project to address feedback from neighbours, local business and special interest groups.
- Design Community Benefits Funds to meet the specific needs of residents and special interests groups in the Snowy Monaro Shire Council – similar to the Boco Rock Wind Farms Community Fund.
- Create a customised neighbour benefits package for those who live closest to the project providing annual payments during construction and operations.
Someva works closely with local communities, local councils and First Nations peoples to create local Community Benefits Funds that are tailored to the regions where we operate.
A funding commitment of $1,050 per megawatt of operating capacity is committed per year from the commencement of construction. This amounts to an estimated $157,000 per annum, plus inflation.
Funding is expected to be administered in a similar method to the Boco Rock Wind Farm Community Enhancement Fund you can find out more about HERE. Opportunities for funding will be provided on an annual basis and will include support for special projects that require greater investment upfront.
Someva takes the time to get to know landowners in the communities where we operate. We pride ourselves on developing long-lasting relationships, that we know will last decades. As part of this process, we work closely with project neighbours on both the design of our projects, and in developing Neighbour Agreements that provide landowners with long-term, reliable and consistent climate-resilient financial certainty.
Someva is currently engaging with neighbours to determine the design of this program. We encourage anyone living within five kilometres of a proposed turbine to contact us.
The Coonerang Wind Farm is expected to create 72 full time jobs through construction with an additional 10 jobs during operation. The project was selected based on the expertise available for large power projects in the Snowy Monaro Region and is expected to help create jobs as the Snowy 2.0 scheme is gradually completed.
Construction is expected to commence in 2025. Someva will post job opportunities HERE as part of the tendering phase as the project nears its planning application determination, which is expected in 2025.
If you are a local business interested in working with Someva please register you interest by contacting us HERE.
Coonerang Wind Farm FAQs
What is the proposed scale of the Coonerang Wind Farm Park?
If approved, the Coonerang Wind Farm will include up to 25 turbines supported by state of the art battery technology. Once complete, the Coonerang Wind Farm will generate enough clean, affordable and reliable energy to power up to 62,000 Australian homes.
Why was this site chosen?
The Coonerang Wind Farm is located approximately 15 kilometres south of Cooma in NSW’s Snowy-Monaro region. The region is blessed with renewable energy resources and is already home to multiple wind projects as well as the iconic Snowy Hydro Scheme. The proposed project site is perfectly suited to wind energy and is located close to existing transmission lines.
Who is behind the Coonerang Wind Farm proposal?
If approved, the Coonerang Wind Farm will be a 100% Australian-owned project. It is being developed by NSW-based, Australian-owned Someva Renewables.
What are the benefits for the local community?
If approved, the Coonerang Wind Farm will create up to 82 full-time jobs. This includes 72 jobs during construction, and a further 10 full-time jobs during operation. Someva Renewables is also partnering with the local community via a dedicated community investment fund. Have your say on how this community investment fund should be used HERE.
How will the Coonerang Wind Farm impact local farming operations?
Someva’s co-design process means we have engaged with local landholders to ensure existing farming operations, such as sheep grazing, will operate in harmony with renewable energy. Renewable energy projects such as the Coonerang Wind Farm also help to provide local landholders with a climate and drought resilient revenue stream, helping to provide long term economic certainty for local farming businesses and families.
How will the Coonerang Wind Farm impact the local environment?
Someva is finalising an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. However the initial biodiversity analysis found some threatened species such as the Koala and the Monaro Grassland Earless Dragon reside within 10 kilometres of the proposed site. Someva is working with landholders, environmental groups and regulators to co-design solutions to ensure these animals and their habitats are protected by the Coonerang Wind Farm development.
How will the Coonerang Wind Farm impact the landscape of the Snowy Monaro region?
Someva understands the importance of protecting the natural landscape. That’s why we have already committed to adjusting the layout of turbines at the site. According to the initial public viewpoint assessment, a small number of turbines may be visible from the Nanny Goat Hill lookout in Cooma, while some turbines will also be viewable from the Monaro Highway.
How will the Coonerang Wind Farm project impact local Indigenous heritage sites?
Someva is finalising an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. Our co-design process involves working closely with local Indigenous groups including Merrimans LALC and Bega LALC. We have committed to tailoring the design of the project to protect important Indigenous cultural sites.
When will the Coonerang Wind Farm be operational?
If approved, the Coonerang Wind Farm is expected to be operational by 2029, with construction to begin in 2025.
Has the community been consulted on the project? Is there local support?
Yes. Our co-design process involves listening to and engaging with the local community on the design of the Coonerang Wind Farm project. In addition to local information events, you can speak directly to our team, or organise a meeting with us HERE. You can also have your say on the Coonerang Wind Farm project by completing this short SURVEY.
What are the benefits for local businesses?
Someva is committed to working with local businesses during the construction and operation of the Coonerang Wind Farm. You can register your interest in partnering with Someva here. The Coonerang Wind Farm project will provide an economic boost to the Snowy-Monaro region via the creation of up to 159 full time jobs during construction and operation. If approved, the project will also see investments made in upgrading local infrastructure, including improving local roads.
I am a local business owner, how can I register my interest to partner with Someva on the Coonerang Wind Farm project?
Someva is committed to working with local businesses during the construction and operation of the Coonerang Wind Farm project. You can register your interest in partnering with Someva HERE.
How can I show my support for the Coonerang Wind Farm project?
You can show your support for the Coonerang Wind Farm by:
- talking to your friends, family and neighbours about why you support the Coonerang Wind Farm
- emailing your local council/MP with a letter of support
- submitting a short letter of support when community consultation on the Environmental Impact Statement begins in 2024
- joining our mailing list to receive regular UPDATES.
Partnering with the community
Someva’s co-design process involves listening to and genuinely engaging with the local community to ensure our renewable energy projects deliver tailored economic, social, and environmental benefits.
We have listened to local landowners, neighbouring residents, local businesses, the Snowy Monaro Regional Council, Indigenous groups, environmental groups and farming groups while designing the proposed Coonerang Wind Farm.
During this engagement, we heard the importance of balancing the need to create local jobs and boost the regional economy, with protecting the local environment and landscapes of the region. That’s why Someva has already committed to adjusting the layout of turbines at the site. In addition, Someva is committed to protecting and preserving important habitat for threatened species such as the Koala and Monaro Grassland Earless Dragon.
You can have your say about the Coonerang Wind Farm by clicking on the survey below or by contacting our Project Manager.
If you are a local business interested in working with Someva, please click the form below.
Contact us
Contact our leadership team for Coonerang
Jamie Chivers – Jamie.c@someva.com.au or phone 0423 336 345
Tim Mead – tim.m@someva.com.au or phone 0419 900 277
For all media enquiries, please email us below.
