Wind Prospect wind and battery project wins unanimous state approval
The 750 MW wind and 500 MW battery project near Eneabba received unanimous approval from state and local panels on Tuesday. Planners' requests to reduce turbines or change the project name were rejected, though the developer remains open to renaming.
The Wind Prospect project, comprising a 750 MW wind generator and a 500 MW eight-hour battery, has secured unanimous approval for development in Western Australia. Located 35 km north-east of Eneabba, the facility received a positive vote from both the Regional Development Assessment Panel and the Shire of Three Springs on Tuesday, according to RenewEconomy.
This decision follows a review process where local planners had requested modifications to the project scope. Despite these requests, the assessors voted in favor of the original proposal. The approval clears the way for subsequent planning stages.
Regulatory Decision Details
The Regional Development Assessment Panel (RDAP) issued its approval on Tuesday, rejecting two specific modifications requested by Shire of Three Springs planners. Local officials had asked for the removal of 18 turbines from the proposed layout, a request the RDAP assessors did not accept. They also sought a project name change to avoid conflict with the existing "Twin Hills Farm," which was similarly rejected by the panel.
Despite the official rejection, Wind Prospect development manager Jay Knight stated the company remains open to changing the name. Shire officer Simon Lancaster noted that such a change would reflect well on the proponent. While the development has received unanimous consent, details regarding grid connection and financial arrangements have not yet been finalized.
Site Specifications and Layout
The Wind Prospect development occupies a 9,000-hectare site hosting 93 turbines. The WA Planning Commission’s position statement wants turbines pushed back 1500m from homes and 330m from boundaries or roads. The project is situated near Western Power’s northern 330 kV Clean Energy Link.
| Metric | Specification |
|---|---|
| Site Area | 9,000 hectares |
| Turbine Count | 93 |
| Setback from Homes | 1,500 metres |
| Setback from Roads/Boundaries | 330 metres |
Construction is expected to occur over a phased period ranging from two to 12 years. Government guides for renewable energy projects remain in draft or interim form.
Community and Environmental Considerations
- Local residents raised concerns regarding noise, visual impacts, and the inability to construct homes near turbine boundaries.
- No planning applications for home building sites near the project have been lodged.
- Post-construction testing will verify compliance with mandatory state sound limits.
- Urbis consultant Megan Gammon noted that the draft code permits performance-based outcomes for noise management.
- Three Springs Shire councillor Julia Ennor expressed concern that the approval could set a precedent for land use restrictions in the region.
Transmission Corridor and Planning Context
The project sits at the top end of a 300 km corridor extending from Perth, an area described as a hotbed for wind development following the installation of Western Power’s northern 330 kilovolt (kV) Clean Energy Link transmission line. The proposal had already cleared both federal and state environmental processes prior to the local council vote. During the hearing, the panel addressed specific neighbour worries, including the risk that a turbine close to the boundary of the 9,000-hectare site prevents nearby residents from building a house.
Source: RenewEconomy. This article is an original Luminity report based on the linked source.