Sunny Corner Wind Farm
Someva Renewables and Mainstream Renewable Power proudly acknowledge that the Sunny Corner Wind Farm project is located on the lands of the Wiradjuri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and value working with First Nations groups on renewable energy projects.
The Opportunity
The proposed Sunny Corner Wind Farm is located in the Sunny Corner State Forest, which is managed by the Forestry Corporation of NSW. The Sunny Corner State Forest is located north of the Great Western Highway, approximately halfway between Lithgow and Bathurst in NSW.
Sunny Corner Wind Farm is a joint venture between Mainstream Renewable Power and Someva Renewables and is set to become one of the first wind farms operating within a NSW State Forest.
Mainstream and Someva have been awarded a permit by the Forestry Corporation of NSW to jointly investigate an onshore wind farm at Sunny Corner.
The opportunity is approximately 500 megawatts and would generate enough electricity to power up to 300,000 homes with affordable, clean and reliable energy for approximately 30 years.
Forestry Corporation manages more than two million hectares of State forests, including NSW’s largest renewable timber production and plantation estate, a vast conservation network and award-winning tourist destinations.
The development of wind farms within NSW State Forest boundaries became possible in 2021 after the NSW Parliament passed amendments to the Forestry Act 2012 allowing State Forests to host renewable energy projects in softwood timber plantations.
Sunny Corner is located on the lands of the Wiradjuri people, in an area with a rich history of supplying energy to the people of NSW. The proposed wind farm is situated within Lithgow City and Bathurst Regional Council LGAs.
Mainstream and Someva propose to investigate Sunny Corner Wind Farm to operate in harmony with recreational and traditional forestry activities. The first stage of the process will be extensive community consultation with communities, First Nations people, forest users, councils and businesses. This community feedback will be used to shape the project and community benefit commitments.
DOWNLOAD FACT SHEETCOMMUNITY SURVEY
Sunny Corner Wind Farm is a joint venture between Mainstream Renewable Power and Someva Renewables
Operating in harmony with traditional forestry operations
Engagement with forest users and recreational and tourism operations in the State Forest such as hiking and mountain biking
Identifying and protecting culturally significant Indigenous sites
Protecting local biodiversity
Continuing to create energy in an energy rich region
Interactive Map
Click to zoom in for project location.
More information will be provided here as the project develops.
Estimated Project Timeline
2024-25
Community Feedback.
Wind monitoring and preliminary layout design.
Preliminary environmental and social surveys and assessment.
2025-26
Incorporate community and environmental feedback into design.
Prepare and Lodge Environmental Impact Statement.
2026-27
NSW Government determination of development application.
2028
Estimated construction commences.
2030
Planned operations commence.
Project Community Benefits
Someva and Mainstream are deeply committed to implementing a tailored community co-design process for the Sunny Corner Wind Farm.
Our co-design process means our team listens to and works with local communities to ensure our projects deliver tailored economic, social, and environmental outcomes.
This means we will:
- Take input to improve the design and sustainability outcomes 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 that live near Sunny Corner as well as residents that live and work in the surrounding regions.
This process is designed to ensure local communities will share in the social and economic benefits the Sunny Corner Wind Farm will create.
Check out our news page to keep up to date with the latest news on the Sunny Corner Wind Farm and to have your say on this project.
Someva works closely with local communities, local councils and First Nations people to create local Community Benefits Funds that are tailored to the regions where we operate.
Someva looks forward to working with Bathurst Regional Council, Lithgow City Council, the Wiradjuri People, forest users and special interest groups to co-create Community Benefits Funds that support local interests. These may include support for career pathways for youth to stay in region; education and training; sporting & recreation organisation; Cultural Heritage and Traditional Land Management Practices Education Model or other opportunities identified by the local communities.
Funding is expected to be administered through voluntary planning agreements with Bathurst Regional Council and Lithgow City Council and these agreements will also outline the process for applying for funds. Opportunities for funding will be provided on an annual basis and will include support for special projects that require greater investment upfront.
The design of the voluntary planning agreements will be advertised through local council websites for community feedback.
Someva takes the time to get to know landowners and residents 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 near neighbours with long-term, reliable and consistent income.
We will work closely with neighbours on the design of the projects and in developing Neighbour Agreements that provide benefits to near neighbours. We will discuss:
- Changing design elements that may include relocating proposed wind turbines;
- Screening and vegetation options;
- Annual payments to near neighbours.
Sunny Corner Wind Farm will create jobs through development, construction and operations.
Initially Someva will look to employ a local community liaison officer to help provide information on the project to local community members. Other opportunities would occur during the development phase and be posted to our website.
Construction on the project is scheduled in late 2028 pending required permits and approvals.
Someva will register an Expression of Interest page for businesses through the Industry Capability Network (ICN Gateway) as we begin the procurement process.
We would like to hear from local businesses and tradespeople who provide fencing, road grading, earthworks, concreting, civil engineering, mechanical technicians, logistics, catering, accommodation services, fitters and turners and electricians among others.
If you are a local business interested in working with Someva email us at: community@someva.com.au
We will provide details of how to access the ICN Gateway in the coming months.
Sunny Corner FAQs
What is the proposed scale of the Sunny Corner Wind Farm?
The wind farm is planned to generate an estimated 500 megawatts of wind capacity. The proposed wind farm will also require a transmission line and electrical substation. There is an opportunity for neighbouring landowners to host this infrastructure.
Why was this site chosen?
Sunny corner is expected to have a strong wind resource and wind monitoring will commence in 2024. The site is close to retiring and retired coal fired power stations making it well placed to maintain energy supply in NSW. There is strong electrical infrastructure and skills that can transition into the construction and operation of wind farms.
Will the public still be able to visit the Sunny Corner State Forest for recreational activities?
Yes, recreational access for forest users will still be possible during development, construction and operation.
During construction there may be areas which are temporarily closed off to public access. This is to ensure the safety of the public during installation of heavy and large components. The public will be notified of these temporary closures in advance.
Will forestry operations be able to continue?
The wind farm will coordinate movements with Forestry Corporation of NSW to minimise any disruptions to forestry operations and forest users. Any forest user is encouraged to contact us to provide feedback on how they use the forest and register for information regarding the proposed wind farm activities as they become better understood through design and planning work. www.forestrycorporation.com.au
How will the local environment be protected?
The proposed wind farm will conduct environmental studies throughout development and respond to surveys to potentially modify the design of the project. This detailed work will be submitted to the NSW government in the wind farm’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
As part of this process Mainstream and Someva will engage specialist consultants to carry out environmental and other studies, including noise, landscape and visual impact, water and soil, biodiversity, waste, traffic and transport, hazard and risk, Aboriginal and non-aboriginal heritage.
Won’t the wind farm endanger local bird life?
Comprehensive biodiversity surveys including bird and bat studies will be undertaken as a part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to determine the risks to bird and bat life. This will guide the design of the wind farm and its management strategies to minimise impacts, if any.
When will construction start?
If approved, construction is planned to start in 2028 however is subject to change due to market and development activity progress.
When is the proposed wind farm expected to be operational?
If approved, operations are planned to start in 2030.
What are the benefits for the local community?
A Community Benefit Fund will be established to provide benefits over the expected 30 year life of the project. This fund will be co-designed with community to support forest users, local businesses, First Nations peoples, community organisations, residents and project neighbours.
Our co-design process means our team listens to and works with local communities to ensure our projects deliver tailored economic, social, and environmental outcomes.
We will provide details on this through the website and as the project develops.
Will the wind turbines be seen from the Highway?
Yes, some of the wind turbines will be seen from various places along the Great Western Highway and other surrounding roads.
After initial community consultation which will help inform wind turbine layout, we will publish photo montages that will provide a visual representation of the wind turbine layout. We will then seek community consultation on the layout before a final design is determined.
What about forestry jobs – are they safe?
Yes, the wind farm will be designed to minimise impact to plantation area and additional land has been secured by Forestry Corporation to offset plantation areas impacted by the wind farm on a two hectares for every one hectare the project impacts. www.forestrycorporation.com.au
Who is Mainstream Renewable Power?
Mainstream Renewable Power is a leading pure-play renewable energy company with wind and solar assets across Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
Mainstream is one of the most successful developers of gigawatt-scale renewables platforms, across onshore wind, offshore wind, and solar power generation. The company has successfully delivered 6.6 GW of wind and solar generation assets to financial close-ready and has a global project portfolio of over 20.6 GW.
Mainstream seek to be long term holders of renewable projects. They have experience in developing wind farms in softwood plantations in Chile and Ireland and will apply this experience in Sunny Corner Wind Farm.
Mainstream will lead engagement with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and Transgrid to secure critical grid connection approvals. Mainstream will also lead design optimisation and assist Someva with development approval processes.
Who is Someva?
Someva Renewables is an 100% Australian-owned, NSW-based renewable energy company that works with landowners, communities, and industry leaders to deliver the clean, affordable and reliable energy that will power Australia’s future.
Someva carefully selects renewable energy projects before working with communities, leading technical advisors and industry partners, to deliver truly industry-leading renewable energy projects.
Someva will provide a tailored community co-design process that ensures communities share in and benefit from their renewable energy projects.
Someva’s co-design process means they spend time in regional communities listening to, and working with regional communities to ensure their projects deliver tailored economic, social, and environmental outcomes.
Someva will be leading the development of Sunny Corner Wind Farm. Key areas of focus will be community engagement with forest users, community, neighbour, First Nations, Forestry and other stakeholder engagement to co-design the project. Someva will also manage the environmental and planning assessments and development approval processes through the NSW Government’s Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure.
What are the benefits for local businesses?
If approved, jobs will be created during construction and operations and local businesses will have an opportunity to register their interest in contracting for work through platforms such as the ICN Gateway. Types of jobs and skills required by the wind farm include fencing, road grading, earthworks, concreting, civil engineering, mechanical technicians, logistics, catering, accommodation services, fitters and turners and electricians among others. Existing local businesses will benefit from flow-on economic spending from increased activity in the Sunny Corner, Portland, Lithgow, Bathurst and surrounding communities.
How can I have my say?
Email us at community@someva.com.au
Visit the Sunny Corner news page to find out where to visit us in person.
Community Engagement
Mainstream and Someva welcome feedback from community members.
Community consultation is underway on Sunny Corner Wind Farm with many constructive meetings having taken place with a range of stakeholders.
We continue to seek continued input from the community on how this project can provide the greatest benefits to local residents, communities and other stakeholders.
Please complete our survey HERE to have your say.
