The NSW Government has approved a major new wind farm. 

Power for up to 700,000 homes a year has been given the green light with the NSW Government’s approval for the Yanco Delta wind farm in the state’s South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

The 1500-megawatt wind farm will be developed by Virya Energy around 10 kilometres north-west of Jerilderie on a 33,000-hectare site in the Murrumbidgee and Edward River Local Government Areas.

The project will involve the construction of 208 wind turbines with a maximum tip height of 270 metres, an 800 megawatt battery energy storage facility and grid connection infrastructure.

Public exhibition of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement saw overall support, and the Department of Planning and Environment has been engaging closely with local councils, residents and government agencies.

The project is estimated to save between 2.8 million and 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year, making a significant contribution to the state’s Net Zero targets and Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

The government says potential impacts would be managed through strict conditions including road upgrades and maintenance, implementation of management plans and a range of mitigation and adaptive management measures.