Mallee Energy Hub

News about the Mallee Energy Hub

Case studies in the CEC Best Practice Charter 2025 reports summary

Today the Clean Energy Council released the 2025 Best Practice Charter reports from its signatories, including Spark Renewables.

This is a voluntary set of commitments that clean energy developers uphold when planning, building, and operating renewable energy projects. There are more than 50 signatories, representing nearly all major renewable energy developers in Australia.

This is the second year of reporting, and the submissions for this year show the industry continuing to raise the bar for responsible development in regional Australia.

Signatories to the Charter are committed to minimising impacts on quality agricultural land and exploring opportunities for co-existence between renewable energy and farming. The reports highlight a range of locally adapted approaches that support both clean energy generation and agricultural productivity. At Bomen Solar Farm, Spark Renewables is currently supporting a three-year research project led by Charles Sturt University to identify the ideal pasture mix that thrives under solar panels, supports quality grazing land, and reduces fire risk.

The signatories’ submissions reflect a continued commitment to respectful engagement – consulting early and often, remaining sensitive to areas of high biodiversity, cultural and landscape value, and to responsible land stewardship over the lifetime of a project, including waste recycling and decommissioning. This year’s reports demonstrate a more deliberate, science-informed, and locally sensitive approach to managing environmental impacts across construction, operations and at the project end-of-life.

One of our earlier partnerships in this field – with a leading solar panel recycling and resource recovery company PV Industries – is proving successful in finding sustainable end-of-life solutions for solar panels. At their new facility launch last week, the team demonstrated how solar panels can be processed to recover materials such as silver.

Read the summary and view the published reports and over 400 examples showcasing how renewable energy projects are delivering real, often unseen benefits for local communities and the environment across Australia here.

Case studies in the CEC Best Practice Charter 2025 reports summary Read More »

Public Session at the Wentworth Show 2025

Next public session: Wentworth Show 2025

Spark Renewables is proud to be the platinum sponsor of the 2025 Wentworth Show. You are welcome to visit our stall and meet the Spark Renewables team, view materials and ask questions about the Mallee Wind Farm located approximately 16 km north-east of Buronga, in the Wentworth Local Government Area.

Location, date & time:
Wentworth Showgrounds
?Pavilion Road, Wentworth 2648 NSW
?️ 30-31 August 2025
⌚ 9am to 4pm

You can also contact us about having a one-on-one meeting via info@malleewindfarm.com or 1300 271 419.

Development update

As State Significant Development, the Mallee Wind Farm project required an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which was submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in November 2024. A summary of the Mallee Wind Farm EIS is also included in the Project Factsheet.

We are now preparing a Response to Submissions with feedback to submissions posted to the EIS. Some of the key matters raised include:

  • Wind turbine transport route
  • Biodiversity
  • cultural heritage
  • Aviation
  • Visual amenity

The wind farm is part of the Mallee Energy Hub, which is being developed by Spark Renewables. We develop, own and operate renewable energy generation assets that lead the renewable energy transition in Australia. Spark Renewables has a large and diversified portfolio of operational and development stage wind, solar and storage assets across Australia including the operational Bomen Solar Farm near Wagga Wagga, NSW. 

Public Session at the Wentworth Show 2025 Read More »

Find out about Response to submissions at Mildura Field Days

Next public session: Mildura Field Days 2025

Spark Renewables will hold an information stall for the Mallee Wind Farm project at the Mildura Field Days.

Development update

The project is part of the Mallee Energy Hub developed by Spark Renewables, and is located approximately 16 km north-east of Buronga, in the Wentworth Local Government Area.

As a State Significant Development, the Mallee Wind Farm project required a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).

An EIS for the Mallee Wind Farm was lodged with DPHI in 2024. A summary of Mallee Wind Farm EIS is also included in the Project Factsheet.

We are now preparing a Response to Submissions with feedback to submissions posted to the EIS. 

Information stall at the Mildura Field Days

You are welcome to drop in to our stall to meet the Spark Renewables team, view materials and ask questions about the Response to Submissions prepared for the Mallee Wind Farm. We are hosting a face-to-face session at:

If you wish to set up a one-on-one meeting or call with Spark Renewables, please email info@malleewindfarm.com or leave a voicemail at 1300 271 419.

Find out about Response to submissions at Mildura Field Days Read More »

Information Session – Mallee Wind Farm EIS

Information Session – Mallee Wind Farm Environmental Impact Statement

Spark Renewables is holding a community consultation session for the Mallee Wind Farm project, which reached an important milestone.

The project is part of the Mallee Energy Hub developed by Spark Renewables, and is located approximately 16 km north-east of Buronga, in the Wentworth Local Government Area.

As a State Significant Development, the Mallee Wind Farm requires a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).

An EIS for the Mallee Wind Farm was lodged with DPHI in November 2024, and is available for view and comment from Wednesday, 13 November until Tuesday, 10 December 2024. A summary of Mallee Wind Farm EIS studies is also included in the Project Factsheet.

Information session at the Midway Centre

You are welcome to drop in to our information session at any time to meet the Spark Renewables team, view materials and ask questions about the EIS prepared for the Mallee Wind Farm. We are hosting a face-to-face session at:

If you wish to set up a one-on-one meeting or call with Spark Renewables, please email info@malleewindfarm.com or leave a voicemail at 1300 271 419.

Information Session – Mallee Wind Farm EIS Read More »

Spark Renewables at the Wentworth Show

Spark Renewables at the Wentworth Show

This is just a quick note to say a huge thank you to everyone who stopped by the Spark Renewables stall to learn about the Mallee Energy Hub over the weekend at the Wentworth Show.

Our Project Lead, Laurie Wallis, and Development Team Engineer, Alejandra Mora, were thrilled to meet and chat with so many enthusiastic showgoers and spoke to over a hundred people.


“It was one of the busiest consultations session I ever conducted.”

Laurie Wallis, Project Lead of the Mallee Energy Hub

There’s no better place to experience the love of country produce than at a country show. We were impressed by the perfect oranges, hearty pumpkins and extraordinary sausages all on display.

Spark Renewables sponsored the 2024 Wentworth Show, putting up free shuttle buses from McLeod Oval to the Showgrounds.

We would also like to thank Umwelt Environmental and Social Consultants for their comprehensive overview and findings from our recent studies, which are compiled in a factsheet here.

Spark Renewables at the Wentworth Show Read More »

Mallee Energy Hub Community Newsletter #5 & Mallee Wind Farm & BESS Factsheet – August 2024

Mallee Energy Hub Community Newsletter #5 & Mallee Wind Farm & BESS Factsheet – August 2024

We are excited to share the latest newsletter update and a comprehensive factsheet regarding the proposed wind farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Mallee Energy Hub. The factsheet includes detailed information on the planning assessment process, map showing the project layout, changes since the scoping phase, and an overview of some of the studies done to date, including:

  • Social Impact Assessment
  • Landscape and visual
  • Biodiversity
  • Cultural heritage
  • Economic
  • Noise
  • Transport
  • Hazards

Mallee Energy Hub includes a wind farm project with a battery energy storage system, and a solar farm project; both located in the Wentworth Local Government Area, approximately 16 km north-east of Buronga.

Situated within the NSW South-West Renewable Energy Zone, the projects would connect via 220 or 330kV transmission infrastructure.

As State Significant Development (SSD) both projects require a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI). A Scoping Report for the Mallee Wind Farm was lodged with DPHI in November 2022, with the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements for the EIS issued on 17 February 2023. These documents are available on DPHI’s Planning Portal here.

The Mallee Energy Hub is being developed by Spark Renewables. We develop, own and operate renewable energy generation assets that lead the renewable energy transition in Australia. Spark Renewables has a large and diversified portfolio of operational and development stage wind, solar and storage assets across Australia including the operational Bomen Solar Farm near Wagga Wagga.

Mallee Energy Hub Community Newsletter #5 & Mallee Wind Farm & BESS Factsheet – August 2024 Read More »

Project Announcement – Mallee Solar Farm

PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT – MALLEE SOLAR FARM

21st January 2024

The Mallee Solar Farm is a proposed large-scale solar farm, located approximately 10 kilometres to the north-east of Buronga in the NSW Wentworth Shire and the South-West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The solar farm would be adjacent to the Mallee Wind Farm, a separate project being developed by Spark Renewables.

The Mallee Solar Farm is in the early stages of development and will undergo a rigorous planning and assessment process prior to being approved. As part of this, we will undertake extensive community consultation and encourage all stakeholders and community members to get involved in this process.

We are holding our first community information session from 3pm-6pm on Tuesday 30 January 2024 at the Midway Centre , 6 Midway Drive, Buronga. Drop in at any time to meet the Spark Renewables team, ask questions and learn about the proposed Mallee Solar Farm and Mallee Wind Farm.

What is proposed:

  • Solar farm – up to 600 megawatts (MW) with solar modules mounted on single-axis tracking systems.
  • Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) – to store and discharge electricity a storage capacity of up to approximately 300MW (AC or DC coupled) / 4 hr (1,200MWh).
  • Agrivoltaics pilot project – a development that incorporates horticulture production underneath or between solar panels.

The first community newsletter, maps and more information on the Mallee Solar Farm proposal are available on the project web page.

Please contact us if you are not able to make the community drop-in session and would like to meet or speak to one of the Spark Renewables team.

1300 271 419

info@malleesolarfarm.com

Project Announcement – Mallee Solar Farm Read More »

Information session

Information Session at the Mildura Field Days, 2023

1 May 2023

Mallee Wind Farm project is located ~23km from Mildura. Spark Renewables will be at the Mildura Field Days 2023, hosted at 53 Racecourse Road, Nichols Point, Victoria, on 19-20 May 2023.

Visit our information stall between 9am and 3pm to view the Scoping Report, project layout maps, and talk to our team about the Mallee Wind Farm project.

You can also download and view the documents via these links:

If you wish to set up a one-on-one meeting or call with Spark Renewables, please email info@malleewindfarm.com or leave a voicemail at 1300 271 419.

Information session Read More »

Mallee Wind Farm SEARs issued

SEARs for the proposed Mallee Wind Farm project issued

20 February 2023

Spark Renewables has received the NSW Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for the proposed Mallee Wind Farm. The SEARs will guide the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement as part of the development application process.

We are pleased to be progressing to the next stage of the comprehensive NSW planning approval process*, which will involve detailed studies and close consultation with the community and authorities.

Key studies that will be carried out include:

  • Investigations of biodiversity
  • Cultural heritage
  • Visual amenity
  • Noise and vibration
  • Hazards
  • Land
  • Social impacts

This is an important step that will help us better understand and refine our site and ultimately build a great project.

The detailed documentation of the project SEARs can be viewed and downloaded on the NSW Planning Portal on this page.

* Application reference number is SSD-53293710

Mallee Wind Farm SEARs issued Read More »

Mallee Wind Farm Scoping Report submitted

Mallee Wind Farm Scoping Report submitted

16 January 2023

Spark Renewables has reached a significant milestone for the proposed 1-gigawatt Mallee Wind Farm development, our second project in the formally declared NSW South-West Renewable Energy Zone, sitting at the opposite end of the Dinawan Energy Hub project.

The project is proposed to be within the formally declared NSW South-West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). Sitting at the opposite end of the REZ to the proposed Dinawan Energy Hub (also being developed by Spark Renewables), Mallee Wind Farm would provide a unique opportunity to significantly strengthen and secure the transmission network within the REZ by leveraging the battery storage capabilities of each project.

The proposed Mallee Wind Farm project is located west of the NSW South-West Renewable Energy Zone

Spark Renewables has commissioned consultants to undertake a series of preliminary environmental assessments and prepare a Scoping Report for the wind farm. The Scoping Report outlines the proposed project in more detail and identifies important issues that will require further assessment, consultation or technical studies.

The Scoping Report was submitted to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) and is available via the following link: Mallee Wind Farm Scoping Report.

Next, the DPE will issue its requirements, known as Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs), within 28 days of receiving the Scoping Report. The SEARs will need to be addressed in a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will be prepared over this year.

The community will be consulted further during the EIS preparation and have the opportunity to make a formal submission when the EIS goes on public exhibition. Part of the EIS will be a Social Impact Assessment, a survey in which all community and stakeholders are invited to participate to provide feedback about their concerns and perspectives about the project. The Mallee Wind Farm Social Impact Assessment survey is available here.

If you have any questions or would like to set up a meeting, please contact us at info@malleewindfarm.com or leave a message at 1300 271 419.

Mallee Wind Farm Scoping Report submitted Read More »