Spark Renewables Announces Winners of $20,000 Dinawan Energy Hub Pilot Grant Program
Spark Renewables has announced the winners of the Pilot Grant Program, awarding $20,000 to support eight community-initiated projects. The program is associated with the development of the Dinawan Energy Hub, a landmark 2.3 gigawatt renewable energy project located in the South West Renewable Energy Zone in NSW, incorporating a wind farm, solar farm, and a battery energy storage project.
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 Dinawan Energy Hub. The final size of the community benefit sharing program will be based on the approved and constructed size of the project.
Spark Renewables has been actively engaging with the host councils, Murrumbidgee Council and Edward River Council, and the local community to ensure a positive impact on nearby townships as the Dinawan Energy Hub is progressed. The long-term benefit sharing scheme includes multiple initiatives such as a community fund, a dedicated fund for First Nations initiatives, subsidies for electricity and solar/battery systems for project neighbours and contributions to priority capital works developments identified by the local Councils.
Beyond financial contributions, Spark Renewables is committed to leveraging its expertise and resources to provide training, employment, and upskilling opportunities, helping local communities thrive in the growing renewable energy sector.
“The high level of interest in the Grant Pilot Program and the quality of proposals highlight the enthusiasm, creativity, and passion within the Riverina communities,” said Will Stone, Head of Development at Spark Renewables.
“Choosing between 16 applicants requesting $80,000 was very challenging, but we are excited to support eight projects that will make a positive difference in community health, wellbeing, social inclusion, cultural storytelling, and protecting the environment.”
Spark Renewables has awarded grants ranging between $1,500 and $3,000 from the Pilot Grant Program towards:
“Bringing back the reeds” biodiversity restoration and community clean-up program organised by Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council;
Upgrading the children’s outdoor playground at the Coleambally Community Club;
Transportation and accommodation support for Marrambidya Dance Group with the aim of reconnecting kids to community and ancestral culture;
Critical sterilisation medical equipment for the Cypress View Lodge aged care home;
Installing a heating and cooling system in the children’s area at the Jerilderie Football Netball Club;
Jerilderie Kids Go Fishing Day (November 2024) hosted by the Jerilderie Fishing Club to promote awareness of healthy waterways amongst families;
Country Education Foundation of Coleambally-Darlington Point to provide financial assistance towards students’ education costs such as accommodation, text books, and uniforms; and
Publishing of a book by the local Coleambally author of Aurora’s Whisper, bringing inclusion to children living with disability.
“While not all applicants were successful, we’ve established valuable connections with those applicants and we hope to support their projects as part of the Dinawan Energy Hub benefit sharing program in the future,” added Mr. Stone.
“Our experience at Bomen Solar Farm, where we set up the country’s largest solar farm community fund (of one million dollars) established in collaboration with Westpac in 2020, has shown the importance of connecting with people and organisations who are passionate about making a positive change in their community.”
“This scheme has helped to connect with several organisations raising funds for locally important matters, which we hope to sponsor in the coming years.”
We were deeply honoured to have Leslie McLeod, a respected Yuin, Dharawal and Ngarigo Custodian and loreman, deliver a Welcome to Country for Spark Renewablesat our recent RAP launch, a significant milestone in our reconciliation journey.
The Smoking Ceremony connected us deeply with the natural environment around us, allowing us to engage in spiritual and physical cleansing through this ancient tradition.
Understanding the significance of a Smoking Ceremony
A smoking ceremony is an ancient custom among Aboriginal communities, involving the smouldering of various native plants to produce smoke with cleansing, purifying properties, believed to ward off bad spirits. This tradition, one of the oldest ceremonies still performed today, has been practiced for centuries.
Depending on the occasion, these ceremonies serve multiple purposes, including healing, spiritual renewal, and strengthening, as well as marking significant life events such as births and mourning periods (known as Sorry Business). Additionally, they can be used to cleanse objects that have crossed cultural boundaries.
Both Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals can request smoking ceremonies. However, due to their profound cultural significance, they are conducted only with the approval and guidance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with careful consideration of the appropriate timing.
We took this opportunity to pay our respects to the land of the Cameragal people, where the Spark Renewables office stands, and where our team gathers each week.
Telling our story
Our vision – to develop, own and operate renewable energy assets that lead the renewable energy transition in Australia – was beautifully represented in the Dhurga language, through the stunning RAP artwork created for us by the talented artists at Yirra Miya.
The artwork tells the story of Spark Renewables, where the colours represent our coastal head office and our inland development projects. The elements depict our role in working with local community members, learning from their knowledge and sharing expertise toward the development of renewable energy projects.
The connected yarning circles represent our commitment to continue to grow and remain teachable on cultural safety. The wind turbines and solar panels represent the energy forms we harness, while the emu ‘Dinawan’ tracks are a specific reference to our Dinawan Energy Hub. The people symbols represent the connections made through our projects.
These elements all come together in the final artwork; representing the sharing of knowledge, our growth journey, and acknowledgement of the land we work on, as being Aboriginal land.
Spark Renewables’ Reconciliation Action Plan coming together
We were fortunate to have Leslie McLeod perform this sacred ritual to mark the launch of Spark Renewables’ Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. Crucially, our Reconciliation Action Plan includes content from every Spark Renewables employee, and has been strongly supported by the senior leadership team.
Reflecting on the process of reconciliation, Spark Renewables’ CEO, Anthony Marriner, said in the Reconciliation Action Plan:
“Coming from South Africa, the idea of reconciliation and respect for the Custodians of the land resonates very powerfully for me. There was much pain and suffering in South Africa until we went through the reconciliation process, which helped to heal the nation and empower the people.
Every person has the right to be treated with respect and kindness.
As I grow to understand Australia better, I can see that there is a need for reconciliation here as well, and that that desire is genuine and heartfelt. I am delighted that we can play a material role in this as it aligns directly with our values.
At Spark Renewables, we will be developing and constructing many wind, solar and battery projects over the coming years. We have always placed the community first and are proud to have established what is to our knowledge at the time of construction the largest solar farm community fund in Australia.
We acknowledge our obligation to ensure that we work closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and are always respectful of their land and their wonderful and rich cultures, which need to be preserved and cherished. In addition, we see an opportunity to make a massive positive difference to the lives of the communities that are impacted by our projects.
Our modus operandi is to make an on-the-ground impact in a way that is measurable and meaningful and focuses on those most in need – our ongoing support of the Girls at the Centre program at Mt Austin High School in Wagga Wagga, where over 40% of the students identify as Indigenous, is just one example of this.”
You can read more reflections on reconciliation from our team members here.
We are grateful to our Aboriginal Engagement Coordinator Shaurntae Lyons, whose guidance and encouragement have been instrumental in preparing our first Reconciliation Action Plan. Shaurntae plays a critical role in our engagement with First Nations communities and in developing inclusive partnerships with First Nations People and organisations across our renewable energy projects. She brings a deep cultural knowledge that supports the planning and implementation of all our projects and has helped to connect with communities at our Dinawan Energy Hub and Mallee Energy Hub.
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.
Sea Fern Floating Offshore Wind project excited to be part of the newly declared Hunter wind zone
18 July 2023
A consortium consisting of global wind and offshore specialists Simply Blue Group and Subsea7, and local renewable energy developer Spark Renewables will be spearheading the development of the Sea Fern Floating Offshore Wind project in the Commonwealth’s newly declared Pacific Ocean off the Hunter wind zone, in New South Wales. The project will have a generation capacity of up to 2 gigawatts (GW).
The name ‘Sea Fern’ was selected for its strong connection to the native flora of the Hunter coast, symbolising values of sustainability, innovation and environmental consciousness, aligning with the consortium’s core principals.
Sea Fern Floating Offshore Wind unites local and global industry leaders, each bringing critical components and renowned expertise to this alliance. This powerful consortium is well-positioned to manage the challenges of developing floating wind technology and realise the ambitious vision of offshore wind power, new economic opportunities for coastal communities, and ‘Just Transition’ from traditional energy sources to a sustainable and low-carbon future.
Simply Blue Group is at the forefront in advancing floating offshore wind projects, which will be vital in unlocking Australia’s deep-water wind resource. With an impressive portfolio of over 10 GW of floating wind under development and successful projects globally they have established themselves as pioneers in the field. Simply Blue Group also develops other blue economy projects, that might be co-located with offshore wind farms to maximise the utilisation of project sites.
Subsea7 is a trusted leader in delivering offshore projects and services for the energy industry backed by more than a decade of proven offshore wind installations and over 40 years of Australian project experience. With extensive front-end capabilities, project delivery expertise and ownership of a global, highly versatile and capable fleet of installation vessels, they provide a vital piece of the supply chain puzzle. Subsea7 has a strong track record of over 1,000 projects successfully completed and safely delivered worldwide. As a key partner in the project, Subsea7 will be integral to the delivery of Sea Fern Floating Offshore Wind.
Spark Renewables is one of Australia’s premier developers and owners of renewable energy assets, with a proven track record of delivering electricity to the grid. Spark Renewables has a substantial development portfolio spanning solar, wind and battery storage projects. With deep experience in developing onshore renewable projects, they have successfully cultivated robust partnerships with local communities in NSW. Spark Renewables brings invaluable experience to the project for navigating onshore planning requirements and delivering the power to the grid.
Each member of this alliance brings extensive knowledge and achievements, united by a shared vision: to deliver an offshore floating wind project in the Hunter region, which, at its core, maximises long-term opportunities for Australia.
Simply Blue Group and Subsea7 have worked together since 2019 to successfully develop one of Scotland’s most advanced floating offshore wind projects (the Salamander Offshore Wind Farm) and will use this experience to successfully deliver the Sea Fern project in Australia.
Sea Fern Floating Offshore Wind is currently at the inception phase of applying for a Feasibility Licence under the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021. A Feasibility Licence, if granted, will enable the project team to consult and work collaboratively with the community, businesses, and industry.
Simply Blue Group, Subsea7 and Spark Renewables will be working with local specialist contractors to design a stakeholder engagement framework. The Sea Fern Floating Offshore Wind team will seek to listen to and engage with communities to build and maintain a long-term relationship with Newcastle and broader New South Wales.
Within the 7-year Feasibility Licence period the project team would undertake the necessary technical, environmental and social impact studies, approvals and consultation, to ensure the project will be safe and viable.
Success through this process would provide certainty of licencing required for accessing the seabed and represent the start of a long-term project. The development approval would be required by 2030 to start construction, with expected operations running through to the 2060s and beyond.
More information about the project can be found on the website: seafernwind.au.
Spark Renewables, Simply Blue Group and Subsea7 partner to pursue floating offshore wind development in New South Wales, Australia
22 March 2023
A leading local developer in Australia, Spark Renewables, together with international floating offshore wind developer Simply Blue Group and global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services, Subsea7, have formed a consortium to pursue floating offshore wind development off the coast of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, in the Hunter and Illawarra regions.
Kincardine Offshore Floating Wind Farm (image by Simply Blue Group)
The recently proposed Hunter-Central Coast and Illawarra Renewable Energy Zones offer good opportunities to support the development of floating wind alongside the potential future Commonwealth offshore wind zones, including the declared Hunter offshore wind area. The consortium has come together because it brings complementary expertise from world-leading companies, ensuring the deliverability of the projects proposed.
Australia’s emerging offshore wind industry provides a potential pathway for the thousands of jobs expected to transition from existing industries into renewable energy. This is a critical opportunity for workers in New South Wales, as the state seeks to decarbonise its energy supply.
Spark Renewables is one of Australia’s leading developers and long-term owners of renewable energy generation assets. It has a large and diversified portfolio of operational and development stage wind, solar and storage assets across Australia, with announced projects in New South Wales and South Australia. Spark Renewables is owned by Spark Infrastructure, which also owns interests in the NSW transmission network operator Transgrid.
Simply Blue Group is a leading early stage developer of floating offshore wind. The company currently has a pipeline of 10 GW of projects in Ireland, UK, Europe and America and is committed to creating new economic opportunities for coastal communities, and developing projects that co-exist with sustainable fisheries and marine conservation.
With a local presence in Perth Australia, Subsea7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the energy industry. It has a strong track record, having successfully completed over a 1,000 projects, including some of the largest offshore wind projects worldwide.
Sam Roch-Perks, Group CEO, Simply Blue Group, said: “With a long coastline and stable continental shelf, we see huge potential for offshore floating wind projects off New South Wales. The State Government of New South Wales has announced key Renewable Energy Zones making it clear that it’s committed to a diverse, affordable, modern energy system, with wind energy firmly in the mix. I’m looking forward to meeting again personally with local stakeholders over the coming weeks to further progress our plans. We hope to bring the valuable lessons learnt from our existing global portfolio of over 10 GW of floating wind projects to Australia.”
Head of Spark Renewables, Anthony Marriner, said: “The consortium will investigate the suitability of areas for developing an offshore wind farm within the proposed Hunter offshore area and the foreshadowed Illawarra offshore area. Community-wide and stakeholder-specific consultation with ecological agencies, Traditional Owners, Australian maritime, aviation and defence must inform any site identification process before we proceed to determining specific projects. As a NSW-based company, we understand the community issues, and this is a key focus for us on all our projects. We are excited by the opportunities that offshore wind projects can bring to NSW, including an increase in local manufacturing and therefore more jobs to support the local economy.”
Darren Cormell, Subsea7, VP Floating Wind, said: “There is a great potential to enable an offshore wind energy solution for the New South Wales population, and achieving a cleaner energy mix for the future. With more than a decade of successful delivery of large-scale offshore wind developments, group capabilities that span early development phases through to delivery, and a successful track record of more than 40 years in offshore projects in Australia, we are excited to bring our capabilities and experience to making floating wind in New South Wales possible.”
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Spark Renewables, Marju Tonisson, Communications, +61 435 570 690 Simply Blue Group, Sara Mackeown, Group Communications Director +353 86 104 4011 Subsea7, Tracey Miller, Group Communications Manager +44 1224 265 733
About Spark Renewables
Spark Renewables is one of Australia’s leading developers and long-term owners of renewable energy generation assets.
Starting in 2018 with a 120 MWdc Bomen Solar Farm in Wagga Wagga, NSW, the potential generation capacity of our development portfolio has grown rapidly to approximately 7 GW and spans solar, wind and battery storage projects.
Our goal is to develop and build projects leading the renewable energy transition in Australia. We work with industry innovators and tertiary institutions to provide sustainable, socially acceptable solutions for generation of electricity.
Spark Renewables is based in Manly, NSW, and is part of the Spark Infrastructure Group. Find out more at www.sparkrenewables.com.
About Simply Blue Group
Simply Blue Group, headquartered in Cork, Ireland, is a leading blue economy developer focused on replacing fossil fuels with clean ocean energy. It develops pioneering blue economy projects – floating offshore wind, e-Fuels, wave energy and low-impact aquaculture – all in harmony with the oceans. The company has a pipeline of over 10 GW of floating offshore wind projects across the globe.
Simply Blue Group is committed to creating new economic opportunities for coastal communities, and developing projects that co-exist with sustainable fisheries and marine conservation.
With a passionate team of over 100 people, Simply Blue Group has offices in Cork, Dublin, Newquay, Pembrokeshire, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Bilbao, Oregon and Nova Scotia.
Subsea7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the energy industry. Subsea7 makes offshore energy transition possible through the continuous evolution of lower-carbon oil and gas and by enabling the growth of renewables and emerging energy. Find out more at www.subsea7.com.
New South Wales’ Tweed Shire Council has commenced a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement that will see more than half its electricity for larger sites being generated by wind and solar farms.
The PPA, which was established with Flow Power, involves supply from Sapphire Wind Farm situated near Glenn Innes, and Bomen Solar Farm near Wagga Wagga.
Bomen Solar Farm generating power along with $1 million community fund Wagga’s new Bomen Solar Farm is now transmitting power to the grid and preparing to launch one of its first community grants projects to put in up to 50,000 plants in Eunony Valley. The $180 million farm with 310,000 solar panels can generate 120 megawatts or enough electricity to power 36,000 homes.
Paulina Kabaczuk
