Located near Wellington in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, Uungula Wind Farm is one of the first wind farm projects in Australia to reach financial close in 2023.
The project plays a pivotal role in Squadron Energy’s goal of delivering 14GW of green electricity, which will be enough to power approximately six million homes.
Once operational, the project poised to become the largest wind farm in New South Wales, temporarily holding that distinction until the completion of the recently approved 1.5GW Yanco Delta project.
This development is expected to have positive economic effects, creating 260 jobs and injecting $40 million into the local economy.
The Squadron project, which was initially scheduled to start construction last year, has now commenced development after successfully participating in the $4.2 billion NSW Government tender. The project, announced as one of the winners last month, also holds an existing off-take agreement with Snowy Hydro.
Tattarang Chairman Dr Andrew Forrest said he was committed to financing Squadron’s 14GW development pipeline to support the Australian Government in achieving its renewable energy targets.
“This is a huge announcement from a major Australian company that is getting on with the job of building the renewable energy capacity required to deliver the green power Australia urgently needs,” Forrest said.
“The time for talk is over, we are investing right now in Australia’s green energy transition and creating jobs and economic development for regional Australia.”
According to Forrest, he supported the Federal Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme as a mechanism to supercharge renewable energy development.
“No longer will we have to rely on expensive, volatile, planet destroying fuels. We will have secure and inexpensive energy from a huge new industry for Australia,” Forrest said.
Tattarang Director Nicola Forrest, who grew up on a farm at Spicers Creek just a few kilometres from the site of Uungula Wind Farm, said she was proud to be investing in the local community.
“Projects such as Uungula Wind Farm can be a positive force for regional communities that create not just jobs but build skills and broader economic opportunities,” Nicola said.
“I’m so pleased that this area near Wellington will be at the forefront of the green energy transition and that we will be able to create long term positive impacts both directly and indirectly through this commitment to the community.”
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said added that the Albanese Government welcomed Squadron Energy’s sod turning on the Uungula Wind Farm and its ambitious 14GW renewable and storage development pipeline.
“These projects are further proof renewable energy investors are getting on with the job, capitalising on Australia’s huge renewable potential, and helping transform our energy grid for the 21st century,” Bowen said.
“Firmed renewable energy and storage is not only the cheapest form of energy but provides crucial reliability as increasingly old and unreliable coal fired power stations inevitably exit the system.”
Jason Willoughby, CEO of Squadron Energy, said Uungula Wind Farm would strengthen the regional NSW economy and reduce the cost of electricity.
“This project will create more than 260 jobs for regional NSW and inject about $41 million into the local economy. We’re excited to be working with our project partners on the first NSW wind farm to move into delivery this year,” Willoughby said.
“In addition to the economic boost the project will bring, as part of our commitment to community we are offering fast, reliable internet coverage for properties surrounding the project and investment opportunities for residents in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.
“Once fully operational, this wind farm will prevent more than 560,000 tonnes of carbon emissions being released into the atmosphere annually, playing an important role in addressing climate change.”
Squadron Energy is also making progress on its broader development pipeline, which currently sits at 6GW. This includes projects like Spicers Creek and Jeremiah Wind Farms, also located in NSW.
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