Concrete pour completed for foundations of first of 69 turbines at biggest wind project in NSW

Squadron Energy’s huge Uungala wind farm has notched up a major new milestone, after completing the first concrete pour for the foundations of the first of the project’s 69 wind turbines.

The 414 megawatt (MW) Uungala wind farm near Wellington in central west NSW will be the largest in the state, once complete – until others such as the massive, recently approved 1.45 gigawatt (GW) Yanco Delta project is built.

Squadron Energy, controlled by iron ore billionaire and green energy champion Andrew Forrest, marked the “huge achievement” with a LinkedIn post and video on Monday.

“It’s a proud moment. We’ve worked closely with local partners and stakeholders to get to this point, and today’s milestone reflects the strength of that collaboration,” added Squadron’s executive general manager of development and delivery Tony Clark.

“It’s exciting to see the foundations being laid, literally, for a more sustainable future.”

“This project will bring long-term benefits to the region, from job creation to legacy infrastructure. We’re grateful for the support of the community and look forward to continuing this journey together.”

Squadron says the inaugural concrete pour follows 15 months of earthworks and ground preparation. A further 68 concrete foundation pours for each of the 6 MW turbines will follow.

As Renew Economy has reported, the first two shipments of turbine components are being stored at the Port of Newcastle, ready for delivery to the wind farm site in Wiradjuri Country, 14km east of Wellington.

During construction, the project will create 262 direct jobs and invest $41 million into the regional economy. Once complete, Uungala wind farm will generate enough electricity to power more than 220,000 homes.

Squadron Energy first broke ground on Uungala wind farm in January 2024, after emerging as one of the winners in the $4.2 billion NSW government tender, the results of which were announced in December 2023.

The huge project has an energy off-take agreement with Snowy Hydro and approved connection to the grid.

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