Australia’s largest renewable energy company Squadron Energy officially opened Bango Wind Farm, one of the largest wind farms in New South Wales, with parent company chair Dr Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest proudly waving the Australian flag on top of one of the wind turbines.
Bango Wind Farm’s 46 turbines are now fully operational and generating clean, renewable energy, marking the first renewable project to move into operations since Squadron Energy purchased CWP Renewables in December.
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The wind farm will generate enough electricity to power 144,000 homes and prevent 543,000 tonnes of carbon emissions being released into the atmosphere annually.
It will also play a crucial role in making groceries greener, after Woolworths agreed to purchase electricity from Bango for around 30% of its NSW energy needs, the equivalent to 108 supermarkets.
Tattarang chairman Dr Andrew Forrest AO said the opening of Bango Wind Farm was not only an important milestone for Squadron Energy but a significant development in Australia’s transition to green energy.
“As an industry we need to deliver an average of 40 wind turbines a month to reach the Federal Government’s target of 82 per cent renewables by 2030. Today we’re delivering 46 turbines in the first wind farm to come online in NSW in more than a year,” Dr Forrest said.
“We cannot underestimate the challenge in front of us and the urgency at which we all need to act to meet this target. Climate change is no longer a prediction; we are living right now in the era of fossil fuel driven, global warming acceleration.
“As a group of companies, and particularly as Squadron, we must do all we can to help our nation eliminate pollution.
“Business, in full partnership with government, must work to do everything we can to bring our emissions down as a nation. Squadron will play a leading role in this, providing one third of the energy required to reach 82% renewables by 2030.”
Squadron Energy CEO Jason Willoughby said: “I am thrilled to mark the opening of Bango Wind Farm today, which follows Crudine Ridge Wind Farm entering operations early last year.”
“This is another step forward for our company as we deliver on our 20GW development pipeline of wind, solar and battery projects across Australia.”
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Bango Wind Farm is located about 30km north of Yass in the South Western Slopes region of NSW, and will not only help meet carbon emissions reduction targets, but it has also brought benefits to the local community. During construction, the project supported more than 320 jobs and injected $14 million into the regional economy.
Snowy Hydro and Transurban have also signed power purchase agreements to buy electricity from Bango Wind Farm.
