The federal government has approved one of the largest clean energy projects in the country, greenlighting Virya Energy’s 1.5GW Yanco Delta Wind Farm in New South Wales.
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The project, located 10km north-west of Jerilderie on a 33,000ha site in the Murrumbidgee and Edward River Local Government Areas, includes the construction of 208 wind turbines, an 800MW battery and grid connection infrastructure.
It’s estimated the Yanco Delta wind project will save up to nearly 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year and provide enough clean energy to power 700,000 homes.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said the project had been approved under Australia’s environment law after careful assessment of the environmental impacts.
It is able to proceed with strict conditions to protect nationally protected threatened species including the superb parrot and the plains-wanderer.
“We want to unlock Australia’s potential to be a world leader in renewable energy. It’s a huge task—we’re remaking our entire energy system,” Plibersek said.
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“Our government has shown just how bright Australia’s future can be when there’s less political fighting and more action on climate change.”
