Proposed Yass Valley Wind Farm watered down to 79 turbines

By Katharyn Brine | February 3, 2016 at 6:33 pm 0 Comments

ENVIRONMENT: The NSW government has recommended the approval of 79 wind turbines in the controversial Yass Valley Wind Farm project.

However the recommendation falls a long way short of the $700 million project proposed by wind farm developers Epuron, with just 79 of their proposed 124 turbines recommended for approval.

It supports only the Coppabella district precinct on land south-west of Binalong.

Epuron had hoped to also win approval for the eastern precinct which incorporates the Conroy’s Gap Stage 2 and Marilba Hills sites.

Epuron acknowledged the significant reduction in the scale of their project last night, sighting their frustration and disappointment.

“We are yet to review the basis of this reduction which is difficult to accept given the community support the project has received,” Epuron Executive Director Martin Poole said.

“Despite the recommendation to limit approval of the project to the Coppabella Precinct alone, we are pleased that the Yass Valley Wind Farm will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation in NSW.”

Conditional approval

The NSW Planning and Environment Department said it would not recommend the eastern side of the proposal due to the significant visual impacts on neighbouring properties.

It has also recommended strict conditions to try and manage issues raised in community submissions.

Conditions include:

• Requiring the company to offer visual mitigation measures to any residence within five kilometres that has views to the windfarm
• Complying with strict noise criteria
• Implementing an aviation impact management plan
• Implementing a bird and bat adaptive management plan
• Avoiding areas where endangered plants and animals live and offsetting impacts where they cannot be avoided.

It is now up to the independent NSW Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC) to make its final decision.

If approved, the Yass Valley Wind Farm will be the first wind farm project in the Riverina region and will span across the Yass Valley and Harden shires.

Epuron’s Case

Of its proposal, Epuron argues at its full capacity of 124 turbines, the Yass Valley Wind Farm has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas significantly, helping “Australia meet its commitments made at the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris.”

“We are keen to contribute to NSW capturing the important jobs and investment from large scale renewable energy projects which have mainly been secured by other states,” Executive Director Martin Poole said.

“It is important that NSW demonstrates its commitment to maximising the local jobs and expertise that flow from the transition to a cleaner electricity sector.”

He argued a positive determination by PAC would generate 975 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean electricity each year, enough to power 133,500 homes. It would save one  million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year and 3.3 million tonnes by 2020.

“[It will]  bring jobs and opportunity into the region from a $620 million investment and provide local community benefits via a community fund of $2,500 per wind turbine, or more than $300,000 per annum if all turbines are built.”

 

 

Department’s Case

The Department said it had carefully considered the views of the local community and found the removal of the eastern precinct would greatly reduce the overall impacts of the proposal.
“By removing the eastern precinct, the Department is confident that the impacts of the remaining wind turbines can be effectively managed while realising the benefits associated with renewable energy at the same time,” a spokesperson said.
“The project will generate enough power for 75,000 homes, and save about six hundred thousand tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
“The project would also provide flow-on benefits to the region through job creation, capital investment, and contributions of almost $200,000 a year to local councils that can be used to fund community infrastructure and services.”

Background

The Yass Valley Wind Farm was originally proposed by Epuron (a subsidiary of Conergy) in 2008 to comprise four sites with 148 turbines.

The project was purchased by Origin Energy in December 2009 with plans to proceed with two of the sites. Epuron re-acquired the Yass Valley Wind Farm and Conroy’s Gap Wind Farm projects back from Origin Energy in July 2012.

The Coppabella Hills site, south-west of Binalong, proposes to have 82 turbines with a total capacity of up to 295 MW.

The Marilba Hills site, south-west of Bowning, proposes to have 70 turbines and a total capacity of up to 252 MW.

The Yass Valley Wind Farm is part of the Yass Project which comprises:

• Birrema Wind Farm (up to 80 turbines and up to 264 MW)
• Yass Valley Wind Farm (152 turbines and up to 547 MW)
• Rye Park Wind Farm (up to 100 turbines and up to 340 MW)

Traditionally, Epuron acquires wind farm projects without the intention of constructing turbines themselves, but to sell off once planning permission has been granted. Their Gullen Range project was sold to Beijing-based turbine manufacturer Goldwind.

Our Farmers

In the past, some farmers within the zone have rejected Epuron’s offer to pay them $10,000 a year per turbine, fearful the structures would affect stock fertility, significantly depreciate land values and ruin the rural vista. Those contacted by Scoop were later advised by their lawyer not to speak publicly pending possible compensation action.

 

Political Stance

Hume MP Angus Taylor said, “I am keen to see more detail from NSW Planning on the reasons for such a dramatic reduction in the capacity of the proposed Yass Valley Wind Farm.

“I am aware of wide ranging views on the project, so it is disingenuous of Epuron to claim the development was ‘received well’ by the community.

“I have made my views clear on the cost of reducing carbon emissions through wind power.”

 

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