Contested Hills of Gold Wind Farm wins planning approval

wind turbines against golden sky with wild grass in the foreground (aula energy)
Image: Shutterstock

ENGIE has welcomed the decision by the NSW Government’s Independent Planning Commission (IPC) to grant approval of the Hills of Gold Wind Farm, located outside Nundle in northern New South Wales.

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Hills of Gold first was originally approved by the NSW Government in 2023 before being contested by locals. The project has now been given the go-ahead as a 372MW wind farm and 100MW battery, with the IPC approving a Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) recommendation for 62 turbines at the site.

ENGIE Australia managing director of renewables Laura Caspari said, “ENGIE is looking forward to delivering the project and its many benefits to the local Nundle, Hanging Rock and Crawney communities.

“The Hills of Gold Wind Farm will take advantage of an excellent wind resource and existing transmission infrastructure, and the project’s footprint has been optimised to incorporate expert advice, community input and years of onsite surveys and assessments that ensure co-existence with grazing and biodiversity on site.

“ENGIE is thrilled to be advancing development of this important renewable energy asset, which will contribute to NSW’s energy security, and the state and nation’s broader renewable energy targets.”

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The Hills of Gold Wind Farm is located about five kilometres south of Hanging Rock and eight kilometres south-east of Nundle. It includes a 330kV transmission line connecting to the existing transmission network at Wallabadah and other associated ancillary infrastructure.

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