NeoEn is set to build a wind farm in Narrogin, with the construction cost expected to go up to $650 million, after a planning committee’s green light.
Neoen is set to build a wind farm in Narrogin, with the construction cost expected to go up to $650 million, after a planning committee’s green light.
The Statutory Planning Committee today approved Neoen Australia’s proposal to build 23 wind turbine generators, a battery energy storage system and temporary workers accommodation across 101 lots in Narrogin.
The site spreads across Williams-Kondinin in Clayton and Cowcher Roads in Minigin, Williams and Dumberning.
Neoen submitted its application to the state government’s Significant Development pathway, with the project’s estimated cost listed as $450 million to $650 million.
"The application indicated the estimated cost of the development is at least $450 million which satisfies the minimum regional threshold for entry into the pathway, noting the application form provides a range from $450-650 million," the application said.
The proposed wind farm will have a production capacity of up to 200 megawatts while the BESS has a capacity of 100MW/200MWh, according to the application.
Several members of the community were against Neoen’s proposal, particularly neighbours of the project site.
Bailiwick Legal associate Matilda Lloyd, on behalf of several neighbours, urged Neoen to revisit its visual and landscaping plan.
“Any increase in traffic of both Glenfield and Graham roads will have a direct impact on my client’s ability to move machinery and stock, causing a significant impost on his farming business,” she said at the SPC meeting.
However, SPC member Ray Haeran said the proponent has done significant work to accommodate the issues.
“I feel very comfortable that the level of visual impact is appropriate in this context and there is detail to be provided but that the conditions suitably cover this,” he said.
“These are working farms and I would take quite a different view if it was going through rural lifestyle areas.”
There had also been discussion on noise issues from the proposed renewable energy project, with Neoen required to submit an acoustic report as part of the conditions for the approval.
“This is a difficult transition for the landscape for the community in this area but I think it’s a really critically important one, addressing what is a state-wide, worldwide need to transition to renewable energy,” SPC member Helen Brookes said.
At the meeting, Neoen WA state leader Arkar said the company wanted to deliver and operate the Narrogin project in the same efficiency as its Collie BESS.
“We want to helps support the WA government to retire coal by 2028 and we believe Narrogin wind farm is critical in supporting that,” he said.
Neoen’s Collie battery features more than two gigawatt-hours of energy storage, and recently started commissioning.
