Junction Rivers is in a region ideally positioned to benefit from Australia’s renewable energy transition, within the New South Wales (NSW) Government’s proposed South West Renewable Energy Zone.
The location of renewable energy projects is determined by balancing a broad range of opportunities and constraints. These include:
Renewable energy projects must be located where a suitable resource is present. To be suitable for clean energy generation, wind and solar resources must have specific characteristics to be viable and ensure reliable and cost-effective supply of energy to the grid.
Junction Rivers:
Connecting to existing infrastructure limits the impact of the project and reduces the time it takes to realise the clean energy benefits of a grid connected project. New transmission infrastructure can require major clearing and can take years to deliver.
Junction Rivers:
Renewable energy projects should be compatible with the existing use of the land.
Junction Rivers:
To be feasible, a project must be able to be responsibly developed, financed and constructed in a way that delivers lasting value to our shareholders, stakeholders and the community.
Junction Rivers:
Junction Rivers will create up to 400 construction jobs during peak activity.
We will prioritise jobs for suitably qualified local people and support meaningful employment opportunities for Traditional Owners.
Due to the size of the project and the specialist skills required, a significant proportion of the construction workforce is likely to come from the broader New South Wales region. Windlab builds local content plans into all our contracts with key contractors.
We will gather local feedback to understand the preferred way of housing out-of-town workers during construction. Our focus will be on minimising disruption to, and maximising opportunity for, local businesses and the community.
Junction Rivers will inject more than $230 million into the regional economy through employment, contracting and supply opportunities during construction.
Regional supply opportunities for goods and services could include equipment hire, materials, labour, food and accommodation.
As we progress through the development process, we will consult broadly to understand local business capacity and interest in local supply and contracting opportunities.
We look forward to continuing to work with the Balranald Shire and Murray River councils, and the Queensland Government on skills and training initiatives to support workforce development
Turbine components and all project construction equipment will be transported to site from the Port of Adelaide, via Sturt Highway, Yanga Way, and the Balranald-Moulamein Road.
A Traffic Management Plan will be in place to minimise impacts to road users. Some upgrades to existing roads may be needed, and this is being coordinated with the Balranald Shire and Murray River councils, road users, and the State Government. We will not be constructing new roads outside the project area.
The turbine blades most likely to be used at Junction Rivers will be around 83m long, with a wind turbine hub height of approximately 150m. Windlab will be seeking regulatory approval for turbine blades up to 100m in length, with a maximum hub height (the height of the tower from the ground to the centre of the turbine) of up to 200m, totally a maximum 300m wing tip height (the height of the tower from the ground to the tip of the blade) to accommodate future technological and design advancements. However, final turbine selection will be assessed against a range of criteria, including project economics.
The regulatory review and approvals process is designed to ensure the project is assessed based on the scenario of highest potential impact. This ensures impact mitigation strategies supporting the project are robust.
In New South Wales wind energy projects are assessed through a comprehensive, integrated approvals process.
Windlab’s development pathway is an iterative process that unfolds over a number of years. Through this process, an initial concept design for a project is scrutinised against extensive environmental and resource studies and refined based on detailed and ongoing consultation with the local community, regional stakeholders, conservation groups, resource management and regulatory authorities.
With the support of community, construction could commence on Junction Rivers within two years of satisfying all project approval requirements.
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is part of the New South Wales development application process. It involves detailed study of all the project’s potential environment, social, and economic impacts.
The EIS report consolidates 16 difference specialist studies into one detailed report.
The project is being assessed under the Bilateral Agreement by Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, and Environment and Water (DCCEEW) under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. This is the Commonwealth legislative framework that protects and manages nationally and internationally significant flora, fauna, ecological communities, and heritage places.
New renewable energy generation is needed to address supply shortages and insulate Australians against global coal and gas price volatility, drive progress against time-critical, global decarbonisation objectives and put downward pressure on electricity prices for consumers.
Junction Rivers represents an opportunity for new, large-scale renewable energy generation that can be responsibly developed, grid connected, via either existing transmission infrastructure or the new line under construction, and producing low-cost power by 2029. Once operational, Junction Rivers will displace more than 2 million tonnes of carbon from New South Wales' energy generation profile every year.
The disturbance footprint, otherwise referred to as the development footprint, includes changes of any kind to the existing cropping and grazing properties on which Junction Rivers will be located, including previously cleared roads, tracks and cleared Agricultural pasture.
The total operational footprint for Junction Rivers will be about 428 hectares, less than 3% of the project’s 16,400-hectare host properties. Importantly around 90% of the project’s 768-hectare development footprint occurs within historically cleared and disturbed land, minimising overall biodiversity impacts.
To note, this calculation is very conservative. The actual disturbance footprint is likely to be less and we will not disturb more than we need to.
More than two years of ecological impact studies and consultation have guided Windlab’s approach to protecting environmental values within the project area, shaping a balanced, iterative design and management strategy. Where impacts can’t be avoided, minimised and managed, legally protected offsets are being proposed.
As a ‘whole asset life’ proponent, our host community are long-term stakeholders. We are committed to effectively mitigating or managing potential impacts to the community.
As part of the project development process, Windlab has carried out extensive environmental, aboriginal cultural heritage, noise and visual impact assessments in line with State government regulatory requirements. This is not only required for the development approvals process, but also helps us scrutinise the business case for a project.
There will be many opportunities for stakeholders and community members to provide feedback and shape the design and management approaches for each project, and to be part of this major opportunity for the region.
We are committed to working with Traditional Owners, landowners and neighbours, the communities of the Balranald Shire and Murray River areas and relevant stakeholders to mitigate any potential impacts in a way that is balanced, equitable and supported.
We recognise the potential for any kind of development to have an impact.
We are confident that Junction Rivers delivers a robust, iterative design for an efficient, high performing wind energy project which will mitigate and appropriately manage potential environmental impacts in a way that balances feedback and technical constraints, and is aligned with regulatory requirements.
The project represents an opportunity to partner with landowners, Traditional Owners, community, key stakeholders and experts to implement leading practice environmental stewardship and improvement initiatives at scale that protect and improve the region’s phenomenal natural landscapes and increase regional environmental resilience.
As a direct result of extensive consultation and environmental impact study work spanning several years Windlab has evolved the project’s design, including reducing the number of turbines, refining the project footprint, and minimising impacts to potentially sensitive areas. Where impacts can’t be avoided, minimised and managed, offsets are being proposed.
Windlab is developing the technology and infrastructure to make energy from polluting sources obsolete, which will make a real difference in tackling the biggest social challenge and environmental threat on the planet - climate change.
Once operational Junction Rivers could produce enough clean energy to displace more than 2 million tonnes of carbon from the nation’s power generation profile, reducing NSWs’ reliance on burning fossil fuels and putting downward pressure on electricity prices for Aussie consumers.
The emissions footprint of a wind turbine across its entire lifecycle is approximately 2,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Based on our wind data at Junction Rivers, it will take around 50 days of wind energy generation to offset this emissions footprint in full. Meaning the embodied energy required in manufacturing, transportation, construction, operations, and decommissioning is rapidly offset by the amount of clean energy generated in this timeframe.
The average emissions intensity of non-renewable generators is almost one tonne of carbon dioxide per megawatt hour. Australia’s National Electricity Market average grid intensity is 620kg of carbon dioxide per megawatt hour of power. Renewable energy generators reduce the emissions intensity of the grid. New projects like Junction Rivers with net zero carbon footprint after the first 50 days, will help to reduce the carbon intensity of the grid further.
Analysis is based on a 40% energy production capacity factor (the ratio of actual electrical output over the theoretical maximum electrical output). A capacity factor of 40% is reasonable based on our studies of Junction River’s wind resource.
During construction, Junction Rivers is expected to contribute about $230 million to the regional economy through local employment, supply and contracting opportunities.
The project will create about 250 jobs on average, peaking to around 400 during periods of increased construction activity.
Once operational, Junction Rivers will support around 15 full-time jobs throughout its 35-year life. As many of these as possible will be locally based.
Junction Rivers will also result in about 250 indirect jobs during construction and 45 indirect jobs during operations, building capacity, economic diversification, and greater employment opportunity in the region more broadly.
Building on the success of our recent $60,000 pilot program that supported six community projects in the Balranald Shire and Murray River Shire, we are introducing a cost of living relief pilot program exclusively for Kyalite residents. This initiative aims to provide direct financial support by offering $1,000 in energy bill relief.
Under the full-scale Junction Rivers Community Benefit Fund*, Windlab will offer support under three separate funding streams:
*The proposed benefit funds will come into effect at financial close and are contingent on project regulatory approval and connection to the South West Renewable Energy Zone access rights network.
Over the past three years we have had the pleasure of getting to know the people of the Kyalite, Balranald and Tooleybuc communities and understanding their priorities.
Over the years we have provided regular updates to the Balranald Shire and Murray River councils and have hosted regular community information drop-in sessions in Balranald, Tooleybuc and Kyalite.
Community feedback received so far has informed a range of changes to the project’s design. For example, we have removed or relocated turbines and infrastructure to reduce visual impact and avoid areas that are significant to the region’s Traditional Owners. We’ve also revised the layout to avoid discrete habitat and areas of higher ecological value, and align access tracks and turbine strings to support cropping operations.
Local input has also shaped the Junction Rivers Community Benefit Fund.
As we work through the project development process, we will continue to provide opportunities for local people and other stakeholders to be involved, have input and give feedback on aspects of the project that are important to them.
To learn more about the project or to provide feedback, contact the project team on 1800 874 166 or email junctionrivers@windlab.com.
Yes. Windlab supports opportunities for Traditional Owners to participate in the development of our projects, and demonstrates respect for First Nations culture, knowledge and agency in everything we do.
Windlab is one of the only renewable energy companies to have successfully negotiated an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with a Native Title Party.
Windlab is engaging with a number of Registered Aboriginal Parties for Junction Rivers. Our focus is on ensuring open and transparent consultation, Cultural Heritage protection outcomes and equitable opportunities that acknowledge the region’s First Nations communities’ rich histories, insights and connections to Country.
All energy generators connecting to the grid must address a range of stringent, project-specific technical requirements to ensure system security and reliability.
Advanced grid-forming inverters with integrated energy storage technology could be used at Junction Rivers to meet these technical connection requirements. Extensive engineering has shown that the technology will also improve the system strength and dynamic stability of the transmission network. An added benefit is the integrated storage that can contain excess energy to be redeployed when it’s needed, increasing the efficiency of the energy system overall.
Wind turbines generate low levels of noise which diminishes significantly with distance.
New South Wales planning framework has strict requirements to ensure noise from infrastructure does not impact residents. For wind farms, this includes minimum setbacks (usually at least 1km) from dwellings based on the type of turbine used and the impact of the surrounding environment on potential noise.
A detailed noise impact assessment is a requirement of Junction Rivers project's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and the project will comply with all regulatory noise requirements.
The New South Wales Planning Wind Energy: Noise Assessment Bulletin is a useful source of verified and reliable information about wind turbine noise and regulatory requirements.
Junction Rivers will have a detailed end-of-life decommissioning and rehabilitation plan as a condition of the project’s approvals.
Junction Rivers has an initial operating life of 35 years, which could be extended through restoration and repowering. At end-of-life, all above ground project infrastructure, including wind turbines, will be dismantled and removed from the site.
The project footprint will be returned to its pre-project state in line with our commitments to our landholders and regulatory requirements.
Innovation in renewable energy technology is advancing, with industry establishing new ways to recover valuable resources from renewable energy components at the end of operational life.
For example, wind turbine blades are already being recycled and used in a range of innovative applications, from specialist cements and industrial plastics to sneaker soles!
The Junction Rivers team hold a range of engagement and consultation activities in the community.
We encourage anyone interested in the project to contact the Junction Rivers team via junctionrivers@windlab.com.
Australia needs more power generation to meet increased demand, and wind is proven technology for energy production.
Wind farms have a relatively low footprint and in most cases are compatible with existing land use, often coexisting alongside farming and agricultural industries.
Power from wind farms can be sold at very competitive rates and this can help keep electricity prices competitive, while supporting Australia’s clean energy transition.
Wind energy enhances Australia's energy security by providing a reliable source of electricity that complements intermittent renewables sources like solar, helping to stabilise the grid and reduce national reliance on polluting energy sources.
Windlab is the 100% Australian company supporting Australia’s clean energy transition.
For 20 years, Windlab has applied our world-leading science and globally recognised expertise to find, construct and operate the Australia’s top wind energy projects.
The communities that host our projects are long-term stakeholders. We respect the needs and wishes of Traditional Owners and communities and take pride in driving positive socio-economic outcomes for local people in regional Australia.
Providing more Australians with access to clean renewables and reducing the nation’s reliance on fossil fuel energy drives what we do. We take our environmental obligations seriously, and we work with experts and partners to minimise our impact and protect environmental values.
Australia’s regions are home to world-leading agricultural and mineral resource industries. Wind captured in these regions presents another valuable, resource, and an opportunity to diversify local economies.
Headquartered in Canberra, Windlab has offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Townsville, Hughenden and Ararat.
For more information about Windlab, visit www.windlab.com.
A Windlab project
Windlab Developments Pty Ltd
Level 4, 60 Marcus Clarke St
Canberra City, ACT, 2601
Windlab acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.
This website uses imagery of Windlab’s Kennedy Energy Park, and its community, for illustrative purposes only.