Markets & Projects

Sunny Corner Wind Farm

PROPONENTS:

Mainstream Renewable Power and Someva Renewables

INVESTIGATIVE PERMIT:

Forestry Corporation of New South Wales

TECHNOLOGY:

Onshore Wind

TOTAL CAPACITY:

500 MW

Mainstream Renewable Power and Someva Renewables have been awarded a permit by the Forestry Corporation of NSW to jointly investigate an onshore wind farm at Sunny Corner.

The proposed Sunny Corner Wind Farm is located in the Sunny Corner State Forest, which is managed by the Forestry Corporation of NSW.

The Sunny Corner State Forest is located north of the Great Western Highway, approximately halfway between Lithgow and Bathhurst in NSW.

Onshore wind

New South Wales

500 MW Gross

In Development

The Opportunity

The opportunity is approximately 500 MW and would generate enough electricity to power up to 300,000 homes with affordable, clean and reliable energy for approximately 30 years.

Forestry Corporation manages more than two million hectares of State forests, including NSW’s largest renewable timber production and plantation estate, a vast conservation network and award-winning tourist destinations.

The development of wind farms within NSW State Forest boundaries became possible in 2021 after the NSW Parliament passed amendments to the Forestry Act 2021, allowing State Forests to host renewable energy projects in softwood timber plantations.

Sunny Corner is located on the lands of the Wiradjuri people, in an area with a rich history of supplying energy to the people of NSW. The proposed wind farm is situated within Lithgow City and Bathhurst Regional Council LGAs.

Mainstream and Someva propose to investigate Sunny Corner Wind Farm to operate in harmony with recreational and traditional forestry activities. The next investigative stages include the installation of a met mast and extensive local consultation with First Nations people, forest users, councils, communities and businesses.

This community feedback will be used to shape the project and the community benefit commitments.

Community Co-design

We are deeply committed to implementing a tailored community co-design process that ensures communities share in and benefit from this renewable energy project.

Community Benefits

We take the time to get to know residents in the communities where we operate. We pride ourselves on developing long-lasting relationships that will last decades.

Community Benefits Funds

We will work closely with local communities, councils and First Nations people to create annual Community Benefit Funds that are tailored to the local region.

Supporting Local Jobs

Sunny Corner Wind Farm will create jobs through development, construction and operations for local businesses which will in turn generate additional economic activity in the region.

Estimated timeline

Community Feedback.

Wind monitoring and preliminary layout design.

Preliminary environmental and social surveys and assessment.

Incorporate community and environmental feedback into design.

Prepare and lodge Environmental Impact Statement.

NSW Government determination of development application.

Estimated construction commences.

Planned operations commence.

2024-25

2025-26

2026-27

2028

2030

By the numbers

300,000

homes powered when fully operational

1million

tonnes of carbon to be saved each year

200kms

from Sydney's Central Business District

We applaud the vision of the Forestry Corporation in seeking to diversify their land use to support the renewable energy transition, and we recognise the important role that Sunny Corner Wind Farm could play in New South Wales’ energy transition, providing clean, affordable and reliable power.
Mary Quaney, Group CEO, Mainstream

Sunny Corner FAQs

What is the proposed scale of the Sunny Corner Wind Farm?

Why was this site chosen?

Sunny Corner is expected to have a strong wind resource and wind monitoring will commence in 2024. The site is close to retiring and retired coal fired power station, making it well-placed to maintain energy supply in NSW. There is strong electrical infrastructure and skills that can transition into the construction and operation of wind farms.

Will the public still be able to visit the Sunny Corner State Forest for recreational activities?

Yes, recreational access for forest users will still be possible during development, construction and operation.

During construction there may be areas which are temporarily closed off to public access. This is to ensure the safety of the public during installation of heavy and large components. These temporary closures will be notified to the public in advance.

Will forestry operations be able to continue?

The wind farm will coordinate movements with forestry to minimise any disruption to forestry operations and forest users. Any forest user is encouraged to contact us to provide feedback on how they use the forest and register for information regarding the proposed wind farm activities as they become better understood through design and planning work. forestrycorporation.com.au

How will the local environment be protected?

The proposed wind farm will conduct environmental studies throughout development and respond to surveys to modify the design of the project and making commitments to operate. This detailed work will be submitted to the NSW government in the wind farm’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

As part of this process, Mainstream and Someva will engage specialist consultants to carry out environmental and other studies, including noise, landscape and visual impact, water and soil, biodiversity, waste, traffic and transport, hazard and risk, Aboriginal and non-aboriginal heritage.

Won't the wind farm endanger local bird life?

Comprehensive biodiversity surveys including bird and bat studies will be undertaken as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to determine risks to bird and bat life. This will guide the design of the wind farm and its management strategies to minimise impacts, if any.

When will construction start?

When is the wind farm expected to be operational?

What are the benefits for the local community?

A community benefit fund will be established to provide benefits over the 30-year life of the project. This fund will be co-designed with the community to support forest users, local businesses, First Nations peoples, community organisations, residents and project neighbours.

Our co-design process means our team listens to and works with local communities to ensure our projects deliver tailored economic, social and environmental outcomes.

We will provide details on this through the website and as the project develops.

Will the wind turbines be seen from the Highway?

Yes, some of the wind turbines will be seen from various places along the Great Western Highway and other surrounding roads.

After initial community consultation, which will help inform wind turbine layout, we will publish photomontages that will provide a visual representation of the wind turbine layout. We will then seek community consultation on the layout before a final design is determined.

What about forestry jobs - are the safe?

Yes, the wind farm will be designed to minimise impact to plantation area and additional land has been secured by Forestry Corporation to offset plantation area impacted by the wind farm on a two hectare for every one hectare the project impacts. forestrycorporation.com.au

What are the benefits for local businesses?

If approved, jobs will be created during construction and operations and local businesses will have an opportunity to register their interest in contracting for work through platforms such as the ICN Gateway. Types of jobs and skills required by the wind farm include fencing, road grading, earthworks, concreting, civil engineering, mechanical technicians, logistics, catering, accommodation services, fitters and turners and electricians among others. Existing local businesses will benefit from flow-on economic spending from increased activity in the Sunny Corner, Portland, Lithgow, Bathurst and surrounding communities.