About the project
The proposed Bullawah wind farm near Hay in NSW will have an installed capacity of up to 1000MW that will generate clean green renewable energy to power 500,000 homes. A battery facility on site will allow for the capture and storage of dispatchable energy.
The power generated either direct from the turbines or released from battery storage will feed into the electricity grid via the proposed Project EnergyConnect transmission line.
The project includes 170 wind turbines, with a maximum blade-tip height of 300m above the ground.
During the scoping report and environmental impact statement preparation phase, technical studies will be undertaken and their outcomes as well as community input will inform the wind farm design.
To learn more about the BayWa team who are developing the project, please meet the team.
Benefits
- Diversifying the local economy
- A community benefit fund
- 400 jobs during construction, 40 jobs during operation
- Business opportunities for local suppliers
- Economic multiplier effect for local economy
- Significant investment in local infrastructure
- Renewable energy to power 500,000 homes
Community Engagement
BayWa r.e is working with residents of Hay, Deniliquin, Coleambally, Darlington Point and surrounds throughout the development stage. We have supported a range of community initiatives since 2022, including the Hay Business Awards, Hay Show, Country Education Foundation of Coleambally/Darlington Point and Edward River. We supported an additional 13 organisations through the 2023 Community Grants Program. BayWa will continue to share information about the project and contribute to community benefit sharing schemes throughout the development and construction process.
Bullawah Community Grants Program
BayWa r.e. is pleased to announce the recipients of the second round of Bullawah Grants:
| Griffith Aboriginal Land Council | $5,000 towards the 2025 Survival Day event |
|---|---|
| Nari Nari Tribal Council | $5,000 towards 2024 NAIDOC celebrations |
| Coleambally Preschool | $3,500 towards installing safety walls and gates |
| Hay Plains Landcare | $3,000 towards restoring Robin’s Nest area |
| Hay branch of isolated Children’s Parents’ Association | $2,500 towards an information session and luncheon |
| Valmar Support Services | $2,500 towards domestic violence awareness event and art project |
| Outback Theatre for Young People | $2,000 towards a mural at Blighty Public School |
| Deniliquin District Cricket Association | $2,000 towards new seating |
| Toganmain Woolshed Precinct | $2,000 towards replacing beams |
| Deniliquin Rhinos Cricket Cub | $2,000 towards a new ice machine |
| Apex Cub of Darlington Point | $2,000 sponsorship of Riverina Classic |
| CWA Hay Branch | $1,685 towards casserole day shared luncheon |
| Coleambally Swimming Club | $1,500 for a new laptop |
| Hay Inc | $1,500 towards student accommodation |
| Hay Bowling & Golf Club | $1,000 sponsorship of hay Golf Open |
| CDP Junior Rugby League | $1,000 towards end of season awards |
| Hay Lions AF Club | $1,000 towards 10th anniversary Ladies Day |
| Deniquilters & Friends | $770 for new tables |
To date the Bullawah Grants Program has invested almost $65,000 into the local community, with an additional round to be open for applications later in 2024.
Click here to read about past applicants.
Community Newsletters
Project development & location
Bullawah Wind Farm development is well underway. The scoping report is complete and the Environmental Impact Statement will be submitted in 2024. The development will include:
- Internal access roads and upgrades to existing access roads, and access points from public roads
- Hardstand and laydown area used for wind turbine installation and storage of wind turbine components
- Infrastructure to connect to the Project EnergyConnect transmission line
- Temporary and permanent meteorological monitoring masts
- Operations and maintenance building
- Temporary infrastructure including construction compound and site office buildings, storage areas and concrete batching plants
Bullawah scoping report
The Bullawah Scoping Report was completed in October 2022. It is available on the NSW Government website. The report was prepared by the BayWa r.e. Projects Australia team with support from Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants.
It is an early part of the State Significant Development (SSD) application process under which the project is being assessed by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE). Among other things the report describes the project in simple terms, takes in early community views, describes a community engagement plan, and identifies matters for further assessment in our Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
It also identifies environmental, social and economic matters of relevance to the project to inform the preparation of the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs). The SEARs identifies specific assessment considerations relevant to the Bullawah project that must also be addressed in our EIS. The next key step is preparing the EIS to accompany our SSD application.
