Origin purchased the Warrane property in July 2023 with a view of developing a potential wind farm development.

The property is being managed by pastoral operator Palgrove, to ensure agricultural operations continue and will coexist during project construction and future operation of the wind farm.

Since acquiring the property, Origin has been carrying out a range of activities to progress the project including engagement with neighbouring landowners, site assessments, and further measurement of the potential wind resource.  

These activities will help inform a scoping report, to be lodged with NSW government, that will include the proposed size and generation capacity of the project.

Early consultation, occurring ahead of the lodgement of the scoping report, has described a preliminary scope that includes up to 608 megawatts of renewable energy production based on up to 76 wind turbine generators. The option of up to 1000 Megawatt Hour (MWh) capacity Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is also being considered.

Origin will continue to engage with the community on the scoping of this project and further engagement will occur prior to submission.

Two meteorological masts or ‘met masts’, installed in mid-2024 are assessing wind potential. 

Both masts are 110 meters tall, strategically positioned 3.5 kilometres apart to collect data that will contribute to a thorough assessment of wind and weather conditions.  

Instrumentation installed at different heights on each mast monitor wind speed to help build an accurate wind profile, and wind direction to guide turbine placement and spacing across the project area.

Ultrasonic microphones installed at different heights monitor microbat activity (both number and species) will help understand flight patterns as part of broader environmental assessment.

Met masts are typically kept in place for up to 5 years.

What are met masts and how do they work? - The Origin Blog (originenergy.com.au)

Renewable energy generated by the proposed wind farm will support the decarbonisation of the national electricity market (NEM) and help meet the future energy needs of business and households.

For more about Origin’s power development projects visit: https://www.originenergy.com.au/about/who-we-are/what-we-do/development-projects/