China’s Goldwind files EIS for massive wind and battery project featuring biggest turbines to date

The developers behind a proposed 1.4GW wind farm and 400MWh battery energy storage system planned for the south-west of New South Wales have taken an important next step in development, submitting an environmental impact statement to the state government.

Originally announced in the first half of 2022, the proposed Baldon Wind Farm would be built within the state’s South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), which stretches from the Murray River north of Mildura east to Murrumbidgee.

Having undergone several modifications, the current plan is for the wind farm to consist of 180 turbines with a combined capacity of 1,404 MW paired with a 200 MW, 400 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS).

It will feature 8 MW turbines – bigger than any installed in Australia to date, and the battery will include grid forming inverter technology.

Baldon is one of a number of gigawatt-scale wind projects that are jockeying for position on the limited grid in the south-west renewable energy zone, attracted by newly discovered wind speeds at height, the flat land and receptive landowners.

The Baldon Wind Farm and BESS is being developed by the privately owned Australian company Omni Energy and Goldwind Australia, the local subsidiary of Chinese wind turbine manufacturing giant Goldwind.

“We are pleased to have now completed comprehensive environmental, cultural heritage, economic and social impact studies,” said Medard Boutry, general manager for development at Goldwind Australia, who said the EIS will be formally lodged this Wednesday.

“It has been a pleasure meeting members of the local community through our engagement activities over the past couple of years and we are delighted with the strong community support received for the project.

“Baldon Wind Farm will utilise Goldwind’s industry-leading advanced technology 8MW wind turbines which have the latest grid-forming turbine technology integrated with battery energy storage systems.”

A submission to the federal government under the ECBA Act earlier this year notes that the turbines could be even bigger than 8 MW, depending on the final layout, and could reach a blade tip height of more than 300 metres.

There had been reports that the Baldon project would be put up for sale, at least the majority Omni stake, but it is not yet clear whether that sales process is continuing. Access rights to the local grid are also on offer, and will be key to the development of the increasing number of large projects in the area.