Saltbush Wind Farm
Saltbush Wind Farm is a proposed 400MW wind turbine farm development with a co-located solar farm and battery, which once operational will produce over 400MW of renewable wind energy. This will provide power to around 173,000 Australian households.
Located in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (SW REZ) in Booroorban, New South Wales, the project is approximately 76km north of Deniliquin, 49km south of Hay, and 80km east of Moulamein.
Comprising of up to 68 wind turbines, Tthe project will beis owned and developed by Octopus Investments Australia, one of the largest owners of renewable energy projects across Australia and Europe, with development being managed by Octopus’ local team on the ground here in Australia.
More than just a name
Saltbush Wind Farm derives its name from the native woody perennial shrub known as Oldman Saltbush. Generally associated with the drier areas of Australia, Oldman Saltbush serves as a valuable forage resource, particularly in times when other feed is scarce.
The plant has a special connection to the Hay Plains, where the region has long been informally referred to as the Saltbush Plains. This area holds a rich historical and cultural connection with local indigenous groups and has been integral to the grazing practices of farmers in the vicinity.
A special location
Saltbush Wind Farm will contribute to the continued expansion of Australia’s renewable industry by generating clean energy.
The Saltbush Wind Farm sits in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (SW REZ) in Booroorban, New South Wales. It is 76km north of Deniliquin, 49km south of Hay, and 80km east of Moulamein.
The wind farm’s footprint mainly falls within the Edward River Council area, with roughly two kilometres of transmission lines connecting to Project Energy Connect within the boundary of Hay Shire Council.
Community benefit sharing
The Saltbush Wind Farm presents an opportunity for community pride, marking the pioneering stage of renewable change in the Australian landscape. We are proud to support the communities where we work and we are committed to investing in projects and organisations that share our values.
Our community benefit scheme and neighbour benefit sharing initiatives will be a lasting investment in the lands we work on, cultivating change together with landholders and community members. Community benefits will be co-designed in close collaboration with the local community, and will deliver valuable social and economic outcomes to the region.
Project objectives:
Deliver clean, sustainable and reliable energy to residences and industry.
Create jobs and economic benefits for communities including affordable energy.
Support NSW in securing its future as a leader in renewable energy generation.
Support Australia’s transition from fossil fuel energy generation to renewable energy and carbon emission targets.
Support the sustainability of the natural environment, mitigating risks to birdlife, native flora and fauna.
Create a positive legacy in the region through a ground-truthed program designed to identify community benefits that add value to the broader community and the region.
About the South West Renewable Energy Zone
Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) will group new wind and solar power generation into locations where it can be efficiently stored and transmitted across NSW.
The South West REZ was chosen due to abundant high-quality wind and solar resources, proximity to existing and planned high voltage transmission, including Project EnergyConnect, relative land-use compatibility and a strong pipeline of proposed projects.
The SW REZ is located around Hay, stretching from the Murrumbidgeee LGA in the east to Buronga in the west, in the South-West Region of NSW.
