Renewables Energy Projects Update – 31st August 2022 Report From Mel
Read about the current projects happening or proposed in our area from Mel Zerner:
REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOYDER
RENEWABLES ENERGY PROJECTS UPDATE REPORT – 31 AUGUST 2022
NOTE: New Project Added To The Report – see 7 WHYTE YARCOWIE WIND FARM
As reported on the ECBAT Website here…
1 ELECTRANET PROJECT ENERGY CONNECT – INTERCONNECTOR
From the Robertstown Power Substation to the SA/NSW border.
Electranet are managing the construction of the transmission line & power substations for the project & the section between Robertstown & Morgan is of particular interest to the local community.
The power transmission line is being constructed by Downers & other substation work will be undertaken by Consolidated Power Projects at Robertstown substation and a new smaller substation at Bundey about 12 kms from the Robertstown substation.
Construction on the project has commenced in May 2022 starting on the SA/NSW border & moving west back to Robertstown. Downer have indicated that they will be using camp accommodation for approx 130 workers in Morgan for the final stages commencing in early 2023. Consolidated Power Projects will be employing approximately 50 workers on the power substation work commencing in October 2022 & they will be using local accommodation housing available on the Goyder Council register in the Robertstown, Eudunda & surrounding areas. The preliminary work on the site setup at Bundey with offices & laydown work area has been completed.
Electranet have leased one house in Morgan for manager style accommodation from July 2022.
Both Downers & Consolidated Power Projects have been provided with registers of civil contractors, industrial fencing contractors, freight contractors, catering contractors & motor vehicle repair & tyre services in the Goyder & Morgan regions.
2 NEOEN – GOYDER RENEWABLES ZONE
Stage 1,2 & 3 – South of Burra & North of Robertstown, World’s End & Bright.
Neoen are the Developers, Owners & Operators of the project & are now progressing steadily to commence South Stage 1A & 1B for the construction of approximately 75 wind turbines in the hills between Burra & Robertstown and Koonoona Road.
At this stage there are 2 companies who are Consortium Partners with Neoen & are overseeing the project:
- GE Renewable Energy who will be supplying & installing the wind turbines & commissioning the windfarm control system. GE Renewable Energy is a division of GE focusing on production of energy from renewable resources.
- Green Light who will be:
1) designing & supplying all wind farm civil infrastructure (foundations, roads & buildings)
2) design & supply all wind farm civil electrical infrastructure (33kv cables, earthing, communications, wind farm control system) &
3) Design, supply & commission HV substation and overhead power line. Green Light is a wholly owned subsidiary of Elecnor who are specialists in the integrated management of infrastructure projects.
The following recent information was extracted from the Goyder Energy News website.
Pre-construction work has commenced throughout Stage 1 of the Goyder South project. After lodging submissions to the Commonwealth Protection & Biodiversity department for native fauna & birdlife issues, approval to proceed with the project was given in July 2022. Site mobilization has now commenced in July 2022 & major construction works are scheduled to start in Q3 2022. The wind farm is expected to be operational in 2024. Additional information is available on the website at the following link: https://goyderenergy.com.au/
The major contractor, Greenlight, has commenced the rental of approximately 5 houses in the Burra & Farrell Flat areas for their management staff, but the major uptake of worker accommodation will only occur in the last quarter of 2022. Accommodation providers can contact Mel Zerner on Mobile 0418 852 353 to register their interest & businesses providing other services can register their interest in the project via the website “Industry Capability Network”.
3 EPS ENERGY/AMP ENERGY – ROBERTSTOWN SOLAR
Near Robertstown Power Substation, 5kms north-east of Robertstown.
EPS Energy announced on 4 May 2021 the selection of Amp Energy as the successful development partner to progress the EPS Solar & Energy Storage facility at Robertstown.
The following information was provided by Dean Cooper, Head of the Asia Pacific region of Amp Energy:
Amp Power Australia Pty Ltd, the Australian operation arm of Amp Energy, is in late-stage grid connection studies for the integrated Robertstown Solar and Energy storage site. The project’s commencement dates are subject to delays associated with Project Energy Connect (Interconnector), but in the interim they are advertising on the Industry Capability Network Gateway for contractors interested in providing services. An Engineering Procurement Construction manager has not yet been appointed.
4 SOLAR RIVER PROJECT
Near Florieton between Burra & Morgan.
The project includes a 200MW photovoltaic array comprising 630000 solar panels and a 200MW battery at a capital cost of $480 million. The project is estimated to require 250 workers over the construction period of 2 years. Zen Energy have been announced as a development partner & have appointed GCo Solar (a subsidiary of the Sterling & Western Group) as the Engineering Procurement & Construction manager. Due to the size & location of the project, they will be setting up a worker camp at a location to be decided commencing in approximately September 2023. In the preparation stages they will be using other local accommodation & local contractors.
5 AUSTRALIA PLAINS SOLAR FARM – GREEN GOLD ENERGY
Approx 16 kms north-east of Eudunda.
Green Gold Energy plan to build a 150MW solar farm with 300 jobs created. A Development Application has been lodged & granted with Crown Sponsorship & the State Government review is in progress. Connection approval to the grid is expected to be given by the end of 2023 with an Engineering Procurement Construction manager to be appointed in early 2024 and with construction planned to commence at the end of 2024. Project scope may well be changed to add a battery storage system to the project.
They are also planning a 100MW solar farm on the Goyder Highway near Morgan and are awaiting Development Application approval for that project as well.
6 TWIN CREEK WIND FARM – RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS
Between Eudunda and Kapunda.
The project involves the construction of 51 wind turbines producing 613000 MWh of power per year. Approx 160 workers are expected during construction. They are progressing with the various planning and permitting workstreams with an anticipated date of commencement in October 2022.
After numerous attempts, I have not been able to obtain any updated information on this project since the last report in August 2021.
7 WHYTE YARCOWIE WIND FARM
East of the Whyte Yarcowie.
Wind Prospect is undertaking feasibility studies for the development of a wind farm near Whyte Yarcowie with up to 85 wind turbines. The proposed site is around 3 km east of the Whyte Yarcowie township, 8.5 km north of Hallett and 6 km south of Terowie.
The next step for the proposed project is to seek development approval for two new meteorological masts to record wind data that will inform project feasibility and allow optimisation of the project design. The optimised design would then undergo an environmental impact assessment and development application process late next year.
Consultation with stakeholders regarding the proposed Whyte Yarcowie Wind Farm is now underway. If you are interested in learning more about the project, Wind Prospect are hosting a series of community drop-in sessions. These sessions are a great opportunity to meet the project team, ask questions and share any feedback or comments on the Whyte Yarcowie Wind Farm. These community drop-in sessions will be held on:
- Wednesday 31 August, 4pm-7pm, Hallett Hall
- Thursday 1 September, 1pm-3pm, Whyte Yarcowie Public Hall
- Thursday 1 September, 5pm-7.30pm, Terowie Institute Supper Room
If the proposed Whyte Yarcowie Wind Farm is constructed, a range of benefit sharing programs will be implemented that will operate for the lifetime of the project. A Community Sponsorship Fund has been established during this early stage of project development and applications are now welcome. The fund will provide $10,000 per year to assist community groups and organisations.
Community input, feedback and views on the proposed Whyte Yarcowie Wind Farm are important and can lead to improvements to the project design. If you would like more information or to provide feedback, please visit their website www.whyteyarcowiewindfarm.com.au or contact via 1800 595 197 or email info@whyteyarcowiewindfarm.com.au.
8 SA WATER – MORGAN WHYALLA PIPELINE RENEWAL
SA Water announced on 10 January 2022, that they are planning to replace sections of the Morgan Whyalla pipeline commencing in March 2022. The pipeline is a 358 kilometre long, above ground pipeline that was constructed in the 1940’s for the transfer of bulk water supplies to the Iron Triangle cities of Port Pirie, Port Augusta and Whyalla and supply to the Mid North, Yorke Peninsula and Eyre Peninsula water distribution networks.
SA Water, together with contractors, McConnell Dowell Diona Joint Venture are planning to replace up to 34 kilometres of the pipeline and most of this replacement will be occurring on the section between Morgan and Burra. The sections being replaced will be constructed adjacent to the existing pipeline and will remain above ground.
SA Water have advised that they are interested in connecting with local businesses who may be able to provide opportunities during construction for accommodation, catering and other services. They have been provided with various contractor & accommodation information in the Morgan, Robertstown & Eudunda regions. Due to additional environmental consultation requirements, construction is now only expected to commence in early 2023.
LOCAL ADVANTAGES & BENEFITS
The Regional Council of Goyder councilors & staff, the Burra Community Association, Eudunda Community Business & Tourism Committee (ECBAT), the Robertstown & District Community & Management Committee & the Mid-Murray Council are ensuring that the maximum possible impact & interaction is gained from these projects in the local communities from Burra to Eudunda & Morgan by connecting the contractors of each project to the local labour force, accommodation & food providers & other businesses. This is being done as a community service project with Mel Zerner, a former local Eudunda resident, voluntarily assisting Goyder Council & the other community groups in this initiative.
Mel is in regular contact with the key owners or employees of all of the above projects to obtain status reports and then respond to their local requirements as required.
