Neoen's Narrogin Wind Farm now under construction

Construction has commenced on Neoen’s 179MW Narrogin Wind Farm in Western Australia, following the signing of a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with State-owned Synergy for 100 per cent of the wind farm’s generation.

The PPA will support the State in achieving its target of 82 per cent renewable energy in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) by 2030.

The Australian Government has also awarded the project a Capacity Investment Scheme Agreement.

“My government’s priority is keeping Western Australia’s economy the strongest in the nation.

“That’s why we are securing more affordable, reliable, and locally made energy for the future through renewables backed by batteries and WA gas.

“My government has already designated Neoen’s Narrogin Wind Farm a priority project under the State Development Act, supporting our efforts to build a State of Energy in WA and helping deliver a major job-creating project in the Wheatbelt,” Premier Roger Cook said.

“The start of construction of Neoen’s Narrogin Wind Farm is a major step forward for Western Australia’s clean energy future. Awarded a Capacity Scheme Investment Agreement by the Australian Government, this project will help deliver cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable energy while creating jobs and investment in the Wheatbelt and supporting the State’s transition from coal-fired power. Narrogin Wind Farm is one of the projects that will help power more Western Australian homes and strengthen energy security, while reducing emissions and putting downward pressure on power prices,” Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson said.

Notices to proceed have also been given to turbine manufacturer Envision Energy and to CIMIC Group members UGL and CPB Contractors, as a consortium, for the balance of plant.

The Narrogin Wind Farm is being built on the country of the Wilman Noongar people near the towns of Narrogin and Williams, about 200 kilometres southeast of Perth.

“Neoen’s Narrogin Wind Farm will support Western Australia’s transition to cleaner energy while contributing to long-term power security. It reflects our focus on delivering essential infrastructure for major renewable energy projects that support economic growth, strengthen energy systems and create sustainable outcomes for communities,” CIMIC Group Executive Chairman Juan Santamaria said.

“This project is UGL’s 26^th clean energy development and our first wind farm for Neoen, strengthening a partnership built on consistent deliver. It expands our renewable energy portfolio and demonstrates UGL’s growing role in supporting Australia’s energy transition through the delivery of generation, transmission and connection infrastructure,” UGL Managing Director Sam Goldsmith said.

“Neoen’s Narrogin Wind Farm will demonstrate our capability in complex balance-of-plant infrastructure for large-scale renewable energy developments. Working with UGL, we will bring together multiple work packages, vendors and stakeholders to deliver civil and electrical infrastructure, and draw on our experience in varying terrains and regional environments,” CPB Contractors Managing Director Craig Nuttall said.

The project consists of 23 EN128-7.8MW turbines which will be connected into the SWIS network via Western Power’s existing 220kV transmission line.

One operational, the wind farm is expected to generate enough power to meet about 3 per cent of the annual energy demand in the SWIS – equivalent to powering about 100,000 Western Australian homes annually.

This renewable energy project is anticipated to create more than 250 jobs during construction and around 15 permanent positions during operations.

“I am thrilled work is about to start on Neoen’s Narrogin Wind Farm after Synergy agreed to buy its renewable energy.

“When complete, Narrogin Wind Farm will provide clean, reliable, and affordable renewable energy for nearly 100,000 homes.

“Projects like this are fast tracking the energy transition, creating great local jobs, and realising the Cook Labor Government’s vision for WA to become a renewable energy powerhouse,” Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said.

“The Wheatbelt region will play a critical role in Western Australia’s renewable energy transition.

“The construction of the Narrogin Wind Farm will unlock new job opportunities for the Southern Wheatbelt and diversify the local economy,” Wheatbelt Minister Sabine Winton said.

Moreover, Neoen has entered into an innovative agreement with the Shire of Narrogin to prioritise investment in local housing and services. The company will also be working together with the Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation to deliver meaningful First Nations outcomes.

Narrogin Wind Farm, when up and running, will deliver a neighbour benefit scheme alongside an annual community benefit-sharing program to support legacy initiatives in the Wheatbelt region.

“We are grateful for the trust that Synergy and the Government of Western Australia have placed in us, and we are delighted to be joining hands with Envision, UGL and CPB Contractors to build Neoen’s first wind farm on the west coast. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the project’s journey to date – especially our host landowners, the Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation and the wider community. Together, we look forward to powering Western Australia’s future with clean and reliable energy,” Neoen Regional CEO for Australia Pacific Jean-Christophe Cheylus said.

“I would like to congratulate the team on this impressive achievement. Neoen has experienced rapid growth in Western Australia in recent years with storage and we’re excited to be adding wind generation to the mix. This milestone also means Neoen has now developed and  delivered more than 10GW of capacity globally. We intend to further accelerate our growth and our contribution to the energy transition with the aim of doubling our impact to 20GW by 2030,” Neoen Group CEO Xavier Barbaro said.

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; Neoen; Narrogin Wind Farm; UGL; CPB Contractors; Yahoo! Finance