WA’s biggest wind farm proposed as developer moves on from bruising Victoria experience

A massive 930MW wind farm is being scoped out for near the town of Eneabba in Western Australia, a region north of Perth known for its rare earth resources and “spectacular” Spring wildflower display.

Renewables developer Wind Prospect says it is undertaking feasibility studies for the up to 140 turbine Twin Hills Wind Farm, which is being proposed for around 15km northeast of Eneabba.

At nearly 1GW, the project would likely rank as the state’s biggest wind farm, depending on the progress of other plans, including the up to 2.4GW of yet unidentified projects said to be planned by Macquarie’s Aula Energy, in partnership with Green Wind.

The Wind Prospect project appears to be in the very early stages, but the company says the proposed site is “appropriately zoned” and as such any “potential impacts to important ecological, landscape or heritage sites can be avoided or managed.”

This is important, after the company’s recent experience in Victoria, where its 350MW Willatook wind farm – set to be paired with a 200MW/400MWh battery – was approved for development by the state with a set of conditions described as “simply not workable.”

These conditions included a five month moratorium on construction of the project to accommodate for the Brolga breeding season from July to November. Wind Prospect was also asked to increase the turbine-free buffers for Brolga and Southern Bent-wing Bats before amended development plans could be submitted for approval.

The Twin Hills project, however, is lower risk. Wind Prospect managing director Ben Purcell says the proposed wind farm would deliver economic and renewable industry growth to the Eneabba area.

“We understand the importance of building relationships and engaging authentically with stakeholders and local communities to ensure they are informed about and involved in the project from an early stage,” he said.

“If the Twin Hills Wind Farm is constructed, Wind Prospect is committed to working with the community to ensure those living closest to the proposed wind farm share in the financial benefits of the project.”

Wind Prospect started wind monitoring at the site in 2008 and will be submitting a development application in early 2024 to install one or two new meteorological masts. These new masts will provide more detailed wind data.

Since 2000, the company has won planning approval for 22 wind farms and two solar farms in Australia amounting to about 3GW of generation capacity. Of this, some 2.1GW are either operating or under construction.

Purcell says Eneabba residents wishing find out more about the Twin Hills project can are encouraged to visit the project website, and contact Wind Prospect to raise any queries.