Construction and concrete pours begin on another wind farm, as one state prepares to say goodbye to coal

Construction has officially begun at the Waddi wind farm in Western Australia, taking the number of new construction starts in the state that once lagged the rest of the country to five, as it races to build enough new capacity to fill the gap from the last of its coal fired generators.

Tilt Renewables held a “sod-turning” ceremony with assistant energy minister and W.A.-based MP Josh Wilson on Thursday at the 108 megawatt (MW) Waddi wind project, located around 150 kms north of Perth.

It is one of two wind projects now being built by Tilt Renewables, along with the 288 MW Palmer wind project in South Australia which, like Waddi, has a long term offtake agreement with AGL, as well as an underwriting contract with the federal government’s Capacity Investment Scheme.

Construction of Waddi is expected to take 2 years. More than 150 workers have been mobilised onsite, laying the foundations for 18 wind turbines, each with a tip height of 206 metres. Early civil works have already started, including internal access roads, site office and the first turbine foundations.

“Starting construction is a great milestone to celebrate, and represents one of the final steps in what has been a truly collaborative effort,” Anthony Fowler, Tilt Renewables CEO said in a statement.

“The support of the Western Australian Government through agencies such as the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, as well as the assistance we received from the Shire of Dandaragan to secure all our planning approvals, were crucial in getting it over the line” .

“Likewise, Commonwealth programs such as the Capacity Investment Scheme helped provide the long-term certainty we needed to make such a large investment. Just as important was the active involvement of the Yued Aboriginal Corporation, our host landholders and the local community”.

Western Australia is now one of the most active in renewable construction starts. It now has five wind project under construction or expansion, with more expected to begin soon.

Apart from Waddi, there is the newly announced Narrogin wind project being built by Neoen, the Flat Rocks wind project owned by, where the first turbine parts are now arriving, and the Warradarge wind project expansion.

There is also the Nullagine wind project being built by Fortescue in the Pilbara to help power its giant iron ore mines and deliver on its goal of reaching “real zero” emissions by 2030.

The strong activity is credited to the firm timeline for the closure of its remaining coal fired power station – they are due to shut in 2029 – and the fact that the government owns the major retailer, Synergy, and therefore has influence on its ability to sign the essential offtake agreements.

Synergy has also signed contracts with Narrogin, as well the 130 MW Kondinin Wind Farm being jointly developed by Shell Energy and Foresight Group, the 470 MW Parron Maam Marang Farm project being co-developed by Atmos Renewables and local outfit Parron Developments, and Alinta’s 550 MW Marri wind project.

“We’re listening to industry to support investment in renewables projects in WA, delivering local jobs and local business opportunities,” said state energy minister Amber-Jade Sanderson.

“This is the Cook Labor Government putting WA first and delivering our plan to build a State of Energy. 550 MW project being developed by Alinta Energy that is expected to begin operations in 2029.”

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