Proposed wind farm in Scott River

Scott River Proposed Wind Farm

The West Australian government plans to close all government-owned coal-fired power stations by 2030. Synergy’s decarbonisation strategy means we’re continually looking for opportunities to expand our fleet of renewable generation assets.

Location

One potential wind farm being considered is across multiple farming properties in Scott River, approximately 15km northeast of Augusta.

Scott River is an area of interest for a wind farm because it boasts:

• Strong winds that blow, on average, during evening periods and the warmer months, when electricity demand is high.
• An existing transmission line to connect to.
• Land that is suitable for hosting a wind farm.

Feasibility assessment

The feasibility assessment builds on the work of the Augusta Margaret River Clean Community Energy (AMRCCE). It considers a wide range of technical, community and environmental factors, including engagement with landowners, neighbours and the broader community.

Once the feasibility assessment is complete, a number of other assessments and Government approvals would be necessary prior to making a final investment decision.

Many studies are required to inform the feasibility assessment, including but not limited to:

• wind resource;
• flora and fauna;
• bushfire management;
• Aboriginal heritage;
• visual and social (including economic) impacts;
• noise;
• shadow flicker;
• construction traffic management;
• radio frequency interference;
• geotechnical, hydrology and hydrogeology; and
• transport routes.

Powering Augusta

Electricity from the proposed wind farm would feed into the Beenup substation in Scott River, which connects to homes and businesses in Augusta, Scott River, Molloy Island, Alexandra Bridge, Karridale, Hamelin Bay, East Augusta, and Forest Grove.

The remaining electricity from the proposed wind farm would flow along the transmission line to Manjimup, Collie and the rest of the energy grid.