The government of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, has approved an amendment to expand the Liverpool Range wind project to 1.3GW, using fewer but more powerful turbines than originally planned.
The Liverpool Range wind farm was approved in 2018, with a modification requested in 2022 to use more efficient technology for increased energy generation with fewer turbines.
The wind farm, situated northeast of Mudgee in the state's central west region, represents a $2bn investment.
It will generate 550 jobs during the construction phase and 47 roles during the operational phase, bolstering the local economy.
Local councils are set to gain from this development, with $35m allocated through voluntary planning agreements.
The community consultation process led to a reduction in the number of turbines from 267 to 185, mitigating the visual impact on the surrounding area.
This increase is facilitated by the installation of more efficient turbines and the elevation of the maximum turbine height from 165m to 215m.
By its first year of full operation, Liverpool Range wind farm is expected to prevent the release of 2.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in NSW.
The project’s location within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) is deemed strategically important due to the area's high potential for renewable energy generation.
The state's Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has assessed the project, collaborating with the community, councils and government agencies to address concerns related to visual aesthetics, biodiversity and traffic.
New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully stated: “NSW is leading a once-in-a-generation upgrade of the electricity network by building the infrastructure we need to power our state into the future.
“The Liverpool Range wind farm will generate jobs during its construction and operational phases, while also providing long-lasting benefits to the local area through community contributions over the life of the project.
“This is a good example of the applicant working with the local community and the final result being material changes to the proposal that address visual impacts.”
