The Independent Planning Commission in New South Wales, Australia has granted development consent for ACEN Australia’s 943MW Valley of the Winds wind farm.
The approval includes a 320MW battery energy storage system and follows significant public consultation, including more than 50 written objections, a public meeting, and feedback from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and Warrumbungle Shire Council.
The commission found the site – located within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone – to be suitable for development and consistent with NSW planning policy.
It concluded the project’s public benefits outweighed its residual impacts and said the development aligned with state energy transition goals.
“The Commission has determined that conditional development consent should be granted,” the panel said in its final decision.
ACEN welcomed the outcome and thanked the local community, council and stakeholders for their support.
“As we progress towards the construction stage, we remain committed to ongoing consultation and engagement,” the company said in a statement.
The project is expected to create up to 400 construction jobs and 50 operational roles, backed by an investment of approximately A$1.68 billion.
Conditions attached to the approval include strengthened requirements for biodiversity, decommissioning, noise, water sourcing and heritage management, along with ongoing community consultation and compliance reporting.
The commission made several amendments to the Department’s draft conditions to reflect concerns raised during the assessment process.
Valley of the Winds will be developed across land near Coolah, Leadville and Uarbry in Warrumbungle Shire.