Vestas acquire majority of 700 MW wind farm in Australia

Global wind energy leader Vestas has acquired the 700 MW Winterbourne Wind Farm from Walcha Energy. Walcha Energy is a partnership between MirusWind and Energy Estate. Winterbourne Wind Farm is the firsts stage of 4GW Walcha Energy Project which will combine wind and solar energy generation with pumped hydro storage and other storage options. The project is located around the town of Walcha in the New England tablelands, approximately 55km south of Armidale, New South Wales.

The Vestas investment will accelerate the development of the Winterbourne Wind Farm and will help unlock the considerable renewable energy potential of the wider New England region. Vestas has acquired a majority stake of the Winterbourne Wind Farm and will lead the development of the project, which is located to the north east of Walcha. A small percentage of the project is owned by community stakeholders.

Vestas will be the lead developer of the Winterbourne project. Walcha Energy will assist Vestas with land, community engagement and grid strategy. Vestas’ development of the Winterbourne Wind Farm continues to demonstrate its commitment to growing renewable energy in Australia.

“Vestas’ acquisition of Winterbourne is a giant step forward for The Walcha Energy Project and evidences strong support and respect for the local Walcha community. We are fortunate to be working with Vestas as the world’s leading wind OEM to unlock the clean energy potential of Walcha, to foster responsible develop in the REZ and to enable new economic development opportunities in regional NSW in collaboration with the local community,” said Vincent Dwyer, Principal of Energy Estate.

“A key feature of The Walcha Energy Project is the unique community benefit model, including an ownership interest in the Winterbourne Wind Farm. We’ve been engaging with the Walcha community for more than 14 years and continued engagement, benefit sharing and responsible development are core values for our team. Vestas is perfectly aligned with these core values and to this commitment,” said Mark Waring, Director at Walcha Energy.

The development team has worked closely with the surrounding community and designed innovative arrangements that seek to balance the interests of the key landholders, their neighbours, the community and other stakeholders.

The next stage of the development of the Winterbourne Wind Farm will focus on the preparation of an environmental impact assessment to support a development application in 2020. Subject to obtaining the necessary approvals, the wind farm is planned to commence operations in 2022.