WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following webpage and materials linked within contain names and images of deceased persons.
Community Newsletter #6 – April 2025
Download the PDF newsletter here: Dinawan Energy Hub – Community Newsletter #6 – April 2025
This is a community newsletter from the 2.3 gigawatt (GW) Dinawan Energy Hub (DEH), a proposed hybrid renewable energy project being developed by Spark Renewables. The DEH consists of the Dinawan Wind Farm; and the Dinawan Solar Farm, which would be accompanied by a battery energy storage system.
The DEH is in the South West Renewable Energy Zone, about halfway between Coleambally and Jerilderie near Transgrid’s Dinawan Substation. The DEH is proposed on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people and several smaller nations of the Murrumbidgee plains.
Spark Renewables is a leading developer and long-term owner of renewable energy generation assets, founded and based in Australia. We are owned and backed by the largest electricity utility in Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional Berhad.
Overview of DEH
The proposed DEH would consist of:
- Up to 200 wind turbines west of Kidman Way
- A wind farm with capacity of up to 1,200 megawatts (MW)
- Wind turbines up to 280 meters high
- A solar farm with generation capacity up to 800 MW
- Ground-mounted solar photovoltaic modules installed east and west of Kidman Way
- Grid connection of both projects via the Dinawan Substation (Transgrid’s Project EnergyConnect)
- Battery energy storage system with a capacity of up to 300 MW
Location
- Within the NSW South West Renewable Energy Zone
- Adjacent to new transmission infrastructure
- Close to major transport networks
- Distant from populated areas
- Strong wind resource
Development Update
Under planning legislation, the Dinawan Wind Farm and the Dinawan Solar Farm are both State Significant Developments, and therefore require an assessment by the NSW Government.
Dinawan Solar Farm: Assessment Phase
The Dinawan Solar Farm Development Application (DA) is currently being evaluated by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI). The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Dinawan Solar Farm was on public exhibition from 17 November to 15 December 2023. The final milestone is the determination of the application.
Dinawan Wind Farm: Response to Submissions
A DA and an EIS for the Dinawan Wind Farm was on public exhibition from 12 July to 8 August 2024. We are currently preparing a Response to Submissions along with an Amendment Report, where Spark Renewables responds to the feedback received during the exhibition period. Next will be the assessment phase.
South West REZ Access Rights
The Dinawan Energy Hub is developed within the NSW South West Renewable Energy Zone. All generation and storage projects connecting to a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) require an Access Right, which authorises projects to apply to connect to the network infrastructure. Access Right holders will contribute access fees that include funds for community benefit and employment purposes in the region. Spark Renewables participated in the competitive process ‘NSW Roadmap – Tender Round 5’ for Access Rights in the South West REZ.
Dinawan Energy Hub is located within the South West REZ, adjacent to the Dinawan Substation (developed by Transgrid)
Community news
Our Approach to Project Development and Engagement
Spark Renewables is a member of the Clean Energy Council (CEC) and supports the Australian Renewable Energy Alliance. As signatory to the commitments outlined in the CEC’s Community Engagement Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Developments, Spark Renewables reports annually to disclose:
- How we engage respectfully with the communities we operate in
- Our conduct with respect to environmental and cultural values
- Our approach to minimising impact on agriculture, prioritising co-land use with ‘agrivoltaic’ initiatives
- Positive contribution to the regions in which we operate
Spark Renewables disclosed its report for the 12 months ended 30 June 2024 to the CEC
Supporting Clean Energy Transition and Education Opportunities
Ensuring a fair and equitable shift or a ‘just transition’ due to the closure of coal-fired power stations is an important goal of the South West Renewable Energy Zone. As part of the DEH, Spark Renewables has developed over 30 benefit sharing, training, and upskilling initiatives that foster community wealth building and support longevity.
As well as upskilling existing jobs within the energy industry, we are also working with Training Services and TAFE in NSW for early engagement in the educational pathway. As part of this collaboration, the Spark Renewables team presented to students at TAFE in Hay and Leeton about industry opportunities. For more career opportunities in renewable energy, visit the webpage of Education NSW.
Winners of the DEH Pilot Program
‘Bringing back the reeds’ planting project on the banks of the Billabong creek in Jerilderie: with the help of Finley High School, a stretch of 250 metres of creek line was planted with over 300 plants
Spark Renewables announced the winners of the Dinawan Pilot Grant Program, awarding $20,000 to support eight community-initiated projects. This program builds on the $31,000 of funding provided to community sponsorships.
Under the Pilot Program grants were awarded to:
- ‘Bringing back the reeds’ biodiversity restoration and community clean-up program (Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council)
- Upgrading the children’s outdoor playground (Coleambally Community Club)
- Reconnecting kids to community and ancestral culture (Marrambidya Dance Group)
- Critical sterilisation medical equipment (Cypress View Lodge Aged Care Home)
- Installing a heating and cooling system in the children’s area (Jerilderie Football Netball Club)
- Jerilderie ‘Kids Go Fishing Day’ (Jerilderie Fishing Club)
- Providing financial assistance towards students’ education costs (Country Education Foundation of Coleambally-Darlington Point)
- Publishing of a book to bring inclusion to children living with disability (author of Aurora’s Whisper Ms Kayla Sipou)
The Pilot Grant Program is the forerunner to the long-term benefit sharing scheme, worth over $60 million, proposed to run from the start of construction and throughout the operational life of the DEH. The final size of the community benefit sharing program will be based on the approved and constructed size of the project.
Partnership with the Griffith LALC
Spark Renewables proudly partnered with the Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) to seize opportunities for the Aboriginal community through the DEH in the South West Renewable Energy Zone. The focus of the partnership is to identify opportunities for mutual benefit, collaboration, training and employment pathway co-design. One of the ways Spark Renewables has agreed to do that is by requiring its major works construction contractors to consult Griffith LALC on labour hire matters.
Acknowledgment and Honours
Recognising that the communities of Wagga Wagga and Narrandera are grieving the recent passing of respected community leaders, a Wiradjuri man Uncle James Ingram and Wiradjuri Yorta Yorta woman Shaurntae Lyons, we would like to acknowledge their contribution in helping Spark Renewables to connect with First Nations communities, guide us on our pathway to reconciliation, and help to create a vision for a stronger community, together.
Our thoughts are with everyone whose lives their work touched. Their loss has left a deep void, but it will not change the force of good on which their hearts were set – helping those in need and supporting everyone to be stronger. It was an honour to have worked with Uncle James and to have Shaurntae as a big part of our team.