Silverton Wind Farm
| Silverton Wind Farm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Australia |
| Location | Barrier Ranges, New South Wales |
| Coordinates | 31°47′38″S 141°15′29″E / 31.794°S 141.258°E |
| Status | Commissioned |
| Construction began | May 2017 |
| Commission date | 2019 |
| Construction cost | A$450 million |
| Owner | Powering Australian Renewables Fund |
| Operator | AGL Energy |
| Wind farm | |
| Type | Onshore |
| Hub height | 110 metres (361 ft) |
| Rotor diameter | 130 metres (427 ft) |
| Power generation | |
| Units operational | 58 × 3.43 MW |
| Make and model | General Electric 3.4-130 |
| Nameplate capacity | 199 MW |
| Capacity factor | 44.7% |
| Annual net output | 780 GWh |
| External links | |
| Website | www |
The Silverton Wind Farm is a 199-megawatt wind farm situated on the Barrier Ranges in New South Wales, north of Silverton, built for AGL Energy by Catcon and General Electric. Planning began around 2007, and the wind farm was finally fully commissioned in May 2020, following some setbacks due to grid issues after initial implementation in 2018.
History
[edit]Initial surveys were done in 2007, which identified the presence of the tawny rock dragon (Ctenophorus decressi) in the area planned for the wind farm. In 2008 a study was conducted on the status and distribution of the species.[1]
On 3 May 2009, the project was approved by the Government of New South Wales, comprising two stages: project approval for Stage 1 and a larger concept approval for Stage 2.[2][3][4]
The project was initially set to begin construction in the first half of 2010,[5] yet several issues caused delays. To begin, the transmission line needed to connect the fully developed wind farm would need to be as long as 300 km (190 mi), and due to multiple connection options, as well as an expected large cost of the infrastructure, the decision of the final solution was delayed.[6]
In 2012, the start-date for construction of the wind farm was pushed back to 2014, after AGL Energy decided to give priority to building two solar photovoltaic plants, which had received almost $200m in government funding.[7]
The project's planning approval was set to expire on 24 May 2016; however AGL submitted a modification application on 25 February 2016 with the sole aim of extending the project's planning approval expiry to 2021. On 3 June 2016 that application was granted, giving AGL the option to optimise and build the project within its Powering Australian Renewables Fund.[8][9][2] The project secured a power purchase agreement with EnergyAustralia for supply of 60% of its annual output until December 2030.[10]
On 16 May 2017, AGL announced construction had commenced.[11]
Description
[edit]The 199-megawatt wind farm is located in the Barrier Ranges, NSW. It was built for AGL Energy by Catcon and General Electric.[12] Its western border is 120 m (390 ft) above sea level, while Mount Mundi Mundi reaches 400 m (1,300 ft) above sea level.[13]
According to the NSW Government in 2023, the facility is one of the most effective wind farms in Australia.[13]
Operations
[edit]The wind farm began grid output in May 2018.[14] The project uses General Electric 3.43-130 wind turbines with a hub height of 110 m (360 ft).[15] It was expected to operate at a capacity factor of 44.7%, generating 780 GWh of energy annually.[citation needed]
The wind farm was finally fully commissioned in May 2020 following long setbacks due to grid issues.[14] These problems are reflected in the energy generation until then, with the plant being constrained during the day reducing its capacity factor.[citation needed]
| Year | Total | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 98,281 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1,173* | 8,291* | 9,773* | 16,620* | 13,393* | 12,587* | 16,547* | 19,897* |
| 2019 | 423,891 | 25,034* | 23,497* | 19,293* | 24,920* | 35,078* | 36,616* | 43,479* | 54,842* | 37,470* | 38,784* | 38,730* | 46,148* |
| 2020 | 714,688 | 52,541* | 51,637* | 53,098* | 45,626* | 62,276* | 55,901 | 60,736 | 56,356 | 72,114 | 63,339 | 67,442 | 73,622 |
| 2021 | 72,477 | 68,650 | 70,560 | 46,165 | 57,701 | 59,791 | 60,643 | 52,254 | 53,054 |
Note: Asterisk indicates power output was limited during the month.
See also
[edit]
Footnotes
[edit]- ^ The generation table uses a tool called eljmkt nemlog to obtain generation values for each month.
References
[edit]- ^ New South Wales Archaeology Pty Ltd (October 2008). "3. Tawny Rock Dragon Report: Status and distribution of the Tawny Rock Dragon and their habitat" (PDF). Proposed development of Stage 1b and 1c, Silverton Wind Farm, far western New South Wales. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Environmental Assessment Report: Silverton Wind Farm". November 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ Silverton wind farm gets go ahead ABC News 3 June 2009
- ^ "Silverton Wind Farm Developmments: Renewable energy solutions for NSW" (PDF). January 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "Construction timetable". Archived from the original on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
- ^ "Community Update No. 6" (PDF). March 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
- ^ Oliver Wagg (18 July 2012). "1GW Australian wind project put back as PV takes priority". Recharge News.
- ^ "Silverton Wind (Mod 2)". Department of Planning & Environment. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
- ^ Westgate, Suzanne (25 February 2016). "Re: Silverton Wind Farm - Request for Extension to Lapse Date" (PDF). AGL Energy. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
- ^ "Silverton Wind Farm, New South Wales, Australia"
- ^ "AGL commences construction at Silverton wind farm : RenewEconomy". 16 May 2017.
- ^ "Silverton Wind Farm". AGL Energy. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
- ^ a b "Crown Land supports Mundi Mundi Bash, grazing, wind farm, and films". Crown Lands. NSW Government. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Silverton wind farm reaches full output after two years of delays and constraints". RenewEconomy. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "Modification 3 Report" (PDF). Retrieved 22 July 2019.
