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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

If approved, construction is planned to start in 2028 however is subject to change due to market and development activity progress.

If approved, operations are planned to start in 2030.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Email us at community@someva.com.au

Visit the Sunny Corner news page to find out where to visit us in person.