WATTLE CREEK ENERGY HUB
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Wattle Creek Energy Hub is a proposed project to be located on land owned by the University of Sydney near Marulan in the NSW Southern Tablelands of NSW.
If approved, the Wattle Creek Energy Hub could generate up to 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the sun and wind, providing enough clean, reliable energy to power around 170,000 households per year while offsetting the emissions of around 950,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The proposal also includes the installation of a large-scale battery with a capacity of up to 500 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity, which would be dispatched on command to provide a range of network support services.
The proposed site is situated approximately 12 kilometres north-east of Marulan, and approximately two hours’ drive from Sydney. The proposal is strategically positioned to make use of an existing high voltage substation, located adjacent to the property, to deliver clean, renewable energy from the energy hub to the University, local electricity users and the rest of NSW.
Status:
Proposal announced
Location:
Marulan, NSW Southern Tablelands on
the traditional lands of several groups, including the Gundungarra, Wadi Wadi, Wiradjuri and Dharawal people
Generation capacity:
up to 500 MW
Battery storage:
up to 500 MWh
Developer
The proposed project is being developed by Spark Renewables, one of Australia’s leading developers and long-term owner and operators of renewable energy generation assets. Spark Renewables is a part of the Spark Infrastructure Group, one of Australia’s leading investors in critical energy infrastructure assets. Read more about us and our team.
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
Involvement of the University of Sydney
The University of Sydney selected Spark Renewables to investigate and develop a hybrid renewable energy facility on the University’s Arthursleigh property, located in the New South Wales Southern Tablelands.
The University of Sydney is a New South Wales State Government-owned tertiary education institution, engaged in the provision of tertiary education and research. As Australia’s first university – founded in 1850 – the University of Sydney has a proud history of global leadership in education and research and inspiring people from all backgrounds to contribute to positive real-world change.
University of Sydney Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research – Enterprise and Engagement) Professor Julie Cairney said:
“This long-term partnership with Spark Renewables will support a research program and infrastructure for the translation of research into innovative renewable energy technologies. New clean energy products and knowledge will benefit Australia’s environment and the economy. We look forward to a long and successful partnership.”
Research opportunities
A key element of the proposed energy hub is a two acre “test-bed facility”, which would enable the University of Sydney to undertake research on new and emerging technologies, including further testing of innovative battery systems developed by Gelion, a company spun out from the University in 2015.
Spark Renewables and the University have also agreed to an ongoing research agreement throughout the life of the energy park, collaborating on initiatives related to clean energy in the fields of science, engineering, business and economics. The proposed partnership will also include a work experience and placement program for undergraduate and PhD students.
LOCATION
The proposed Wattle Creek Energy Hub site is situated on the University of Sydney’s Arthursleigh property, located in the New South Wales Southern Tablelands.
The project design will ensure that the University’s existing commercial research and teaching activities can continue on the Arthursleigh farm, with the wind turbines occupying a small proportion of the 6,200 hectare property and the solar farm designed to allow sheep to graze underneath the solar panels.
The Arthursleigh farm was bequeathed to the University of Sydney in 1979 and is operated commercially producing Merino wool, Angus cattle and cereals while supporting a range of teaching and research.
The farm is not only a commercial grazing property used to assist animal, medical and scientific research but it is also playing a major role in restoring native flora and fauna in the area. The farm has been recognised as one of the first farms to be involved with the Greening Australia-led seeding trial using pelletised eucalypt seeds and was an early adopted of the Whole of Paddock Rehabilitation program.
The farm management team supports the University of Sydney’s Engineering and Veterinary faculties in research and teaching. The team has developed extensive partnerships with numerous governments, non-government, and commercial agencies to improve land management, biodiversity and increase the tree coverage on the property through a diverse range of projects and initiatives, having initiated the following projects to support the restoration of native flora and fauna in the area:
- The creation of wildlife corridors which will help save plant, animal, and bird species from extinction.
- Numerous geotechnical works partnering with Local Land Services to prevent gully erosion throughout the property.
- Establishment of over 140,000 native trees and shrubs and set aside over 1,200 hectares for conservation.
- Fenced and revegetated the entire 13 kilometres of the Wollondilly River that passes through the property.
- Excluded livestock from every creek and gully feeding into the river, allowing the fragile soils to recover.
- Specifically planted eucalypt trees to support our endangered black cockatoo colonies for the future.
- The introduction of alternative methods to minimise the growth of the highly invasive weed Tussock grass by planting crops to prevent germination.
NEWS
OUR APPROACH
TIMELINE
2022
Step 1 - complete
Initial identification completed, consultation ongoing ✔
2023
Step 2
Community Consultation and Preliminary Studies
2023/2024
Step 3
Submission of Development Application and Environmental Impact Statement
2024/2025
Step 4
Development consent
2025
Step 5
Financial investment decision
2025/2026
Step 6
Construction
2027 onwards
Step 7
Operations