News

ACCIONA Energia has reported positive results so far from wind monitoring at its Shire of West Arthur site, located in the Wheatbelt region of WA, which could lead to its first renewable energy project in the state.

ACCIONA has been monitoring the wind resource in areas around Darkan and Arthur River, located approximately 200km south-east of Perth.

Contact has been made with host landowners to develop the project that could have a potential capacity of up to 2000 MW, and community consultation has started.

News of ACCIONA’s project comes after Green Wind Renewables last week unveiled plans for its Ambrosia Wind Farm development near Moodiarrup, approximately 30km south of Darkan also in the Shire of West Arthur.

Ambrosia Wind Farm could comprise up to 100 wind turbines, for a nameplate capacity of 600 MW.

While parts of the coastline in south and mid-west WA have been exploited for their well-known excellent wind resources, developers have been slow to plan projects more than a few kilometres from the coast.

The 222 MW Collgar Wind Farm in Merredin, which first started generating in 2011, was an early exception.

In more recent times Enel’s Flat Rocks Wind Farm, which is under construction near Kojonup in southern inland WA, has lead the way for developers to expand site selection options for wind farms to the interior of the state.

Synergy has approvals for its proposed 150 MW King Rocks Wind Farm near Hyden, and Yilgarn Holdings is looking at a 60 MW wind farm near Southern Cross.

Meanwhile ACCIONA is planning to install additional wind monitoring equipment at its Shire of West Arthur site as it continues to develop the project.