Spicers Creek Wind Farm is a proposed 702-megawatt (MW) wind farm located approximately 25 kilometres north-west of Gulgong and 35 kilometres north-east of Wellington in NSW, within the Dubbo Regional and Warrumbungle Shire Council areas. The project is also located in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.
The proposed project would include:
- approximately 117 turbines with a total height of up to 256 metres
- a 400-MW / 400-MWh battery storage facility
- substations and transmission connections to connect the proposed wind farm and battery storage facility to the proposed CWO REZ transmission line, and
- ancillary infrastructure and temporary facilities.
Key Dates
| Apr 2023 | Project Announcement |
Financing
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The project is being developed and financed by Squadron Energy. The Federal Government will provide revenue underwriting for the project through a Capacity Investment Scheme Agreement. |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Squadron Energy |
| Successful Tenderer: | WTG supply contract: GE Verona |
| Procurement note: | The supply of the 117 wind turbines is being undertaken via a $2.75 billion ‘Green Strategic Alliance’ with a consortium comprising GE Verona, NACAP and CCP. The Alliance also includes the supply of wind turbines for two additional Squadron Energy projects: Uungula Wind Farm (69 wind turbine units) and Jeremiah Wind Farm (65 wind turbine units). |
PROJECT HISTORY
| May 2021 | CWP Renewables announces it is investigating the proposed site for the project. |
| Apr 2022 | CWP submitted a scoping report to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, requesting the Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements for the project. |
| May 2022 | SEARs were issued for the project. |
| Jul 2023 | The project's Environmental Impact Statement was placed on public exhibition, closing on 24 August. |
| Jan 2024 | Squadron Energy announced the GE Verona held the supply contract for the wind turbines for the wind farm. The supply contract is part of a 'Green Strategic Alliance' between Squadron Energy and GE Verona, which also includes supply contracts for two additional wind farms. |
| Jun 2024 | Squadron Energy called for Expressions of Interest for construction partners for the project, with submissions closing 11 July. Work packages include: civil balance of plant work scopes, electrical balance of plant work scopes, operation and maintenance building design and construction, and an accommodation camp for workers. |
| Oct 2024 | The NSW Independent Planning Commission granted development approval to the project subject to amendments regarding environmental monitoring and performance. |
| Dec 2024 | The project was selected as part of the Federal Government's first Capacity Investment Scheme Tender Round. The Federal Government will provide revenue underwriting for the project through a Capacity Investment Scheme Agreement. |
| Mar 2025 | The project received Federal Government approval. |
| Mar 2025 | The project was included in the Federal Government's inaugural Renewable Energy Priority List. The Priority List aims to provide coordinated support through Federal, state and territory regulatory and environmental approval processes on a case-by-case basis and provide a 'faster to yes, faster to no' approach to regulatory approvals. |
| May 2025 | EnergyCo granted access rights to 10 projects to connect to the NSW Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, including the Spicers Creek Wind Farm. |
Development Consent
Capacity Investment Scheme Tender Round 1
