Meering West
Wind Farm and Battery
transition to clean energy
Virya Energy acknowledges the Barapa, Wiran and Wemba Wemba people
where the Meering West Wind Farm is proposed.
Virya Energy pays its respects to their Elders, past and present.
Project Details
Meering West will be one of Australia’s largest
on-shore wind and energy storage developments,
with around 1.5GW of capacity and over 1000MWh
of batteries
With a proposed 1.5GW of capacity and 1000MWh of batteries the project is of a scale to provide system capacity and vast volumes of annual electricity.
Meering West is an initiative of local cropping farmers who teamed up in 2021 to run a tender process to select an experienced renewable energy developer. After considering several other developers, the Meering West landowner group selected Virya Energy to help them progress this important project.
Virya Energy executives have more than 95 years of
combined international renewable energy experience.
The project has completed a co-design process with landholders to ensure that wind turbines, access tracks, underground cables and other infrastructure complements agricultural production. Wind monitoring and various specialist studies commenced in 2021 and are continuing.
The project design has been further refined by:
- Ensuring that wind turbines will not be located closer than 2km to habitable dwellings (as of 1 January 2024) that are not associated with the project.
- Minimising impacts to remnant native vegetation and wetlands, and where appropriate will respond to matters raised in specialist studies and engagement.
Project Particulars
Planning and design of the Meering West Wind Farm is underway. The particulars on this page are subject to change and will ultimately be influenced by; project design, specialist studies, planning and environmental approvals, capacity of the electricity network and the availability of technology at the time of final investment decision.
Location
Meering West, approximately 25 km south west of Kerang, Victoria
Total Estimated Generation Capacity
1500 MW (1.5GW)
Wind Turbines
Up to 200. The wind turbines will be around 300m tall from the bottom of the tower to the tip of the blade.
Battery Energy Storage System
1000MWH
Benefits
Complements existing cropping practices and provides additional ‘climate proof’ income to enhance farming operations
Delivers low-cost, renewable energy to the grid while supporting Victoria's targets of achieving 95 percent renewable energy generation by 2035
Diversifies the regional economy and helps Victoria to achieve the legislated targets of 95% renewables and 6.3GW of energy storage by 2035
Supports Victoria’s emissions reduction targets of 75-80 per cent by 2035 and Victoria’s net zero emissions target by 2045.
Expected to employee hundreds of people through the development, construction and operational phases.
Supporting the community
Throughout the development of the project, Meering West Wind Farm Pty Ltd is committed to supporting community clubs, events and services.
In addition to supporting landholders through annual lease payments, the project will also support nearby properties by sharing the benefits of this important project.
We will be seeking the community’s suggestions and input on how the project can benefit the area now and into the future.
The project will initially contribute in the order of $1,000 per turbine, per year into a community fund. This fund will exist for the operational life of the project and will be distributed in both the immediate local area and nearby township areas as:
- Neighbour Payments: $1,000 per year for each habitable dwelling (in existence as at 1 January 2024) between 2km to 5km from a turbine.
- Initial sponsorship of Wandella, Boort and Kerang football and netball clubs.
- Additional commitments to be announced following community engagement and when the VicGrid REZ requirements are known and as the project develops.
In addition to the community fund the project is expected to contribute approximately $2.1m annually to the Gannawarra and Loddon shires through payments required under the Electricity Industry Act 2000.
Indicative Timeline
2021-2025
Engagement and specialist studies commence and continue
2026
Planning and Environmental Approvals
2029-2032
Construction
2032 to 2062
Operation
FAQs
The wind turbines will be up to 300m tall from the bottom of the tower to the tip of the blade.
Wind energy is a clean, renewable and reliable energy source, and is a significant contributor toward the transition of our energy system away from emissions intensive sources.
The land, biodiversity and environmental impacts of wind farms are significantly lower than those created in mining and burning fossil fuels.
In addition, most turbine components are now recyclable with the valuable steel, copper and aluminium, as well as the carbon fibre blades, all being recycled.
Many local businesses will be engaged to work directly on the project, employing
local people.
There is a significant benefit in increased economic activity in the
region through accommodation, food and equipment hire, as well as a regular
drought proof income to landowners, who in-turn spend more in the local economy.
We work in partnership with the community and listen to the community’s needs through both formal and informal community engagement. We will also establish a community benefit fund for local organisations and projects, and a community
committee will determine how that funding is distributed to best support the region.
In addition to the community fund the project is expected to contribute approximately
$2.1m annually to the Gannawarra and Loddon shires through payments required under the Electricity Industry Act 2000.
Sound from the operation of the turbines is assessed as part of the extensive
environmental approvals process, and this includes designing a suitable buffer
between turbines and any residences to reduce any impact on neighbouring
properties.
It is not proposed to place wind turbines within 2km of a non participating neighbouring dwelling, ensuring noise levels are even lower than required.
When operational, the movement of the blades through the air generates sound, and
how loudly this is experienced varies with wind speed, topography and other factors.
Advances in turbine design have reduced the noise impacts, and a normal
conversation can be held when standing below a turbine without needing to raise your voice.
A study by the NHMRC, Wind Turbines and Health, A Rapid Review of the Evidence,
(July 2010) found that “there is no evidence for direct adverse health effects from
these [wind turbine] installations.”
On very rare occasions some turbines have experienced electrical or mechanical
failures that have started fires.
These fires are generally contained in the top of the turbine, with turbine monitoring
systems alerting fire crews, who can then ensure no spot-fires start at the base of the tower.
Modern wind turbines can also be fitted with fire suppressant systems to automatically put out fires and the regular maintenance of equipment greatly reduces the chance of fires being started.
Access tracks act as fire breaks, while also providing good access for fire trucks to otherwise inaccessible areas.
Wind farms have little impact on most birds and bats which predominantly fly below the swept area of the blade.
Some migratory birds and soaring birds, such as eagles, do fly at the height of the
blades. As such, flight paths studies are carried out to make sure that turbines are
not placed in migratory flight paths or near cliffs where birds soar.
Ground studies are also undertaken to identify habitat of vulnerable land dwelling animals.
Considering wind farms use approximately 1% of the property they are located
on, there is plenty of room to reposition turbines, tracks or cable routes away from
areas of potential impact, avoiding or minimising habitat removal.
No, VNI west will be the western interconnector between Victoria and NSW. It is independent to this project. Further information on the VNI West project can be found here: https://www.transmissionvictoria.com.au