The project, proposed by BayWa r.e. Projects Australia Pty Ltd, will be located about 28km south-east of Hay and extend across the Hay Shire, Edward River and Murrumbidgee local government areas.
In an update released by the NSW Independent Planning Commission, the project was approved for construction and operation of up to 141 wind turbines with a maximum tip height of 300 metres and an installed generating capacity of up to 804 megawatts.
The development will also include a 359MW/718MWh battery energy storage system, transmission connection infrastructure and associated facilities.
According to the commission, the project is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to power about 463,400 homes each year.
The approval follows an extensive assessment process, with the three-member commission panel undertaking a site inspection and locality tour, receiving 35 written submissions and hearing from 17 community members during a public hearing.
In its statement of reasons, the commission found the proposal would make an important contribution to renewable electricity generation while supporting NSW energy policy objectives.
“The project will contribute to renewable electricity generation, support the state's strategic energy objectives and deliver economic benefits to the region," the commission’s update read.
“The commission also noted the development would enable agricultural production to continue across the site.
“The project would enable farming activities to continue alongside the wind farm, and support sustainable farming practices and improved land resilience.”
Community concerns raised throughout the assessment included traffic and road impacts, biodiversity, waste management and cumulative impacts from renewable energy developments across the region.
To address those concerns, the commission imposed a range of conditions on the approval, including requirements for a Traffic Management Plan, upgrades to Jerilderie Rd before major heavy vehicle movements begin, ongoing road condition monitoring during construction and restrictions on heavy vehicle use of the Hay roundabout.
Additional conditions require the preparation of a Biodiversity Management Plan, including dedicated measures to protect the threatened plains-wanderer, participation in regional conservation initiatives, a Fire Safety Study for the battery energy storage system and an Emergency Plan developed in consultation with councils and emergency services.
The approval marks another significant milestone in the rollout of the South West Renewable Energy Zone, which was established by the NSW Government due to the region's strong wind and solar resources, proximity to major transmission infrastructure and compatibility with existing agricultural land uses.
The South West REZ is centred around Hay and stretches from near Jerilderie to Balranald and Buronga.
Bullawah is one of four projects given ‘right of access’ within the region.
Someva Renewables' Pottinger Energy Park (wind and solar) was given construction approval in September last year.
Others are Origin Energy's Yanco Delta Wind Farm and Spark Renewables' Dinawan Energy Hub near Jerilderie.
Collectively, the projects form part of the South West Renewable Energy Zone's planned 2.5-gigawatt network capacity, which is expected to attract billions of dollars in private investment and support thousands of construction jobs across southern NSW over coming years.
