MALLEE ENERGY HUB

ABOUT THE PROJECT

A hybrid wind, solar and battery storage energy hub in the NSW South-West Renewable Energy Zone.

The Mallee Energy Hub is a proposed wind, solar and battery energy storage project in the Wentworth Shire of New South Wales on the traditional Mallee country land of the Paakantji (Barkandji), Latji Latji, Muthi Muthi, and Yitha Yitha people.

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

Once constructed the Mallee Energy Hub would power up to 450,000 Australian homes each year, offsetting the emission of more than 1.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

Status:
Preparing Environmental Impact and Social Impact Assessments

Houses powered annually:
~450,000*

Emission offset annually:
~1.9 million tonnes of CO₂**

Location:
Wentworth Shire, NSW
The land of the Paakantji (Barkandji), Latji Latji, Muthi Muthi, and Yitha Yitha people

* Based on household consumption of 6,700 kWh/year

** Based on Australian National Greenhouse Accounts Factor, 0.65 kgCO₂/kWh

Generation capacity:
Up to 1 GW

Battery storage:
up to 100 MW
(or 200 MWh for 2 hours)

Grid connection:
via via 220 or 330kV
transmission infrastructure

Wind turbine generators:
Up to 76

Jobs:
~400 construction
~30 during operations

Developer

The proposed project is being developed by Spark Renewables, one of Australia’s leading developers and long-term owners of renewable energy generation assets. Read more about us and our team.

LOCATION

The proposed Mallee Energy Farm site is located ~16 km to the north-east of Buronga in the NSW South-West Renewable Energy Zone and on the traditional lands of the Paakantji (Barkandji), Latji Latji, Muthi Muthi, and Yitha Yitha people.

The proposed site has an excellent wind resource and the land where turbines and solar farm infrastructure are proposed is relatively flat and cleared. The turbine locations would integrate with existing agricultural activities allowing multiple uses for the land. In addition, there is a very low density of housing near the site with the closest towns being around 13 km and 16 km respectively, from the nearest turbine location.

CONSULTATION & PLANNING

Project status: EIS and SIA preparation for the Mallee wind farm with a battery

The proposed projects in the Mallee Energy Hub - Mallee Wind Farm with a battery energy storage system, and Mallee Solar Farm - are considered State Significant Development under NSW planning legislation. The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) will assess the development application documents and the consent authority will be the Minister for Planning or the Independent Planning Commission.

For the Mallee Wind Farm, a Scoping Report, which is a formal request to the DPE to issue its requirements known as Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs), was submitted to the NSW DPHI in January 2023 and the SEARs issued in February 2023.

The SEARs will need to be addressed in a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A key component of the EIS is the Social Impact Assessment (SIA).

Formal NSW planning process

We are here
Proposal announced ✓

To industry, government and community

Scoping reports ✓

Community consultation and preliminary technical studies 

SEARs issued ✓

Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements

EIS and SIA preparation

Community engagement and technical studies to inform the EIS and SIA

EIS submission and exhibition

Public exhibition for agency and community comment

Response to submissions

Addressing comments and issues raised about the EIS in a "Response to Submissions" report

Assessing the proposal

Assessment by the Department of Planning & Environment

Determination

The Minister for Planning or the Independent Planning Commission decides the proposal

Community consultation

As part of the planning and development process, we are undertaking extensive consultation with the community, stakeholders and Traditional Custodians of the land. The consultation will take place via community drop-in sessions, community briefings, surveys, one-on-one meetings, newsletters, our project website, and social media. We encourage all stakeholders and community members to get involved.

Find out more and have your say:

  • Sign up to newsletters.
  • Request a one-on-one meeting or call.
  • Provide feedback via surveys.

If you have questions, feedback or would just like to register for future updates, please complete this short online form. You can also leave a message at 1300 271 419 to speak to one of the Spark Renewables team.

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OUR APPROACH

Member of the CEC

Spark Renewables is a member of the Clean Energy Council (CEC) and a signatory to the Clean Energy Council’s Community Engagement Best Practice Charter. Our team members participate in the Council's various working groups, including community engagement and social licence, and risks of modern slavery, as well as industry directorates on wind, solar PV, large-scale storage and renewable hydrogen.

First Nations Participation Plan

We are committed to working with the Traditional Custodians of the land to ensure the project minimises heritage impacts whilst maximising opportunities for education, training and employment. We will set goals as part of an Industry and First Nations Participation Plan.

Community benefit-sharing

We believe in sharing the benefits of our projects with the communities we operate in. We will establish a community benefit sharing program for the life of the project to provide social and environmental support to the local community, with the location-based delivery at the heart of the approach. The program will include a substantial community fund as well as a neighbour benefit scheme.

 Jobs & training

We prioritise the local procurement of goods and services and engagement and training of local workers wherever possible. We expect more than 500 jobs to be created during the construction phase of Mallee Wind Farm, with 40-50 jobs created during its operational life.

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TIMELINE

Initial identification completed, consultation ongoing

Step 1 - complete

Project identification ✔

Initial identification completed, consultation ongoing

2022-2023

Step 2

Community Consultation and Preliminary Studies ✔

2022-2023

2024

Step 3 - in progress

Submission of Development Application and Environmental Impact Statement

2024

2025

Step 4

Development consent

2025

2026

Step 5

Financial investment decision

2026

2026-2027

Step 6

Construction

2026-2027

2027 onwards

Step 7

Operations

2027 onwards

PROJECT DOCUMENTS & MATERIALS

Visit the NSW DPHI portal to view all the planning documents.

  • Preliminary Project Layout Map
  • Mallee Wind Farm (DPE website)
  • Mallee Wind Farm Scoping Report
  • Community Newsletter 1
  • Community Newsletter 2
  • Community Newsletter 3
  • Community Newsletter 4
  • Community Newsletter 5
  • Posters (2022)
  • Map of Investigation Area