Western Australia’s latest wind farm, Badgingarra Wind Farm (BWF), has officially opened.
Located at Hill River, 220km north of Perth, APA Group’s $315 million wind farm consists of 37 wind turbines capable of generating 130 megawatts (MW) of energy, generating enough power to meet the needs of more than 115,000 homes, with the potential to save more than 420,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
The wind farm output is secured by a long-term agreement with Alinta Energy for the purchase of all the energy and Large-scale Renewable Generation Certificates (LGCs) generated by the wind farm through to December 2035.
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The Badgingarra Wind Farm is an important project for Western Australia, as it will supply a significant amount of renewable energy to the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), and represents a key milestone in APA’s renewable energy development in Western Australia.
The wind farm is part of APA’s renewable energy precinct in Western Australia, which is set to produce up to 247.5 MW of energy from APA’s existing 80 MW Emu Downs Wind Farm and 20 MW Emu Downs Solar Farm, and the 17.5 MW Badgingarra Solar Farm, which is due for completion in mid-2019.
APA Group CEO and managing director Mick McCormack said APA strongly believes in the significant role renewables will play in Australia’s energy future, as part of a portfolio solution alongside reliable energy sources, like gas. “Australia needs to reduce its carbon emissions and the Badgingarra Wind Farm has a key role to play, as part of APA’s renewable energy precinct in Western Australia,” he said.
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“The Badgingarra Wind Farm is one of the largest green energy initiatives in Western Australia and will have significant positive environmental impacts, as well as already enhancing local employment and business opportunities in the surrounding towns and communities.”
Western Australia’s Energy Minister Bill Johnston said, “I’d like to congratulate APA Group and everyone else involved with the construction of the Badgingarra Wind Farm.
“It’s well recognised that a major transformation is underway in Western Australia’s electricity sector, with rapid uptakes of rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems in households.
“This transition is expected to continue in the coming decades and is being replicated in electricity sectors all over the world.
“Projects, such as Badgingarra, illustrate the great potential we have in Western Australia to take advantage of these changes, particularly in creating valuable regional opportunities.”
