FAQs
ABOUT WIND FARMS
The Narrogin Wind Farm is proposed as a 200 MW renewable energy project comprising up to 25 wind turbines. The project site has the potential to host a big battery in the future.
The construction time frame depends on the project size and the number of workers deployed on site. For a 100 MW power plant, a 14-month time frame is typical, with a peak construction period of 2 to 3 months. A large project like Narrogin will take around 30 months to construct with a longer peak construction.
Neoen’s projects use premium quality wind turbines and battery technology provided by leading manufacturers. This is selected through a competitive process for each project. All components come with long warranty periods, wind turbines are generally warrantied for 25 to 30 years.
A wind farm will typically operate for 25–30 years.
Wind turbines are designed to convert wind into mechanical energy by rotating the turbine blades. The mechanical energy is converted into electricity via a generator in the nacelle, which is sent directly to the grid. The electricity generated by the turbine is proportional to the wind speed cubed.
As an example, a wind turbine in 8m/s wind will produce about 8 times as much electricity as a wind turbine in 4m/s wind. This means the correct placement of turbines in high and consistently windy areas is important for achieving the lowest cost power generation for consumers.
Generally speaking wind turbines have a tip height of between 200 and 280 metres with approximately 500 metres between each turbine. However, this varies from project to project. Larger turbines generate more energy, are spaced further apart and have lower rotational speeds than smaller turbines.
Economic: Larger turbines generate more and cheaper energy because they can access higher wind speeds at higher elevations. They also generate savings in civil and electrical costs (foundations, roads, cables, etc.).
Visual: Larger turbines are spaced further apart (up to 1000m) and have lower rotational speeds than smaller turbines.
Noise: Larger turbines don’t necessarily make more noise than smaller turbines, due to their slower speed and improvements in blade design. All turbines in WA are subject to strict noise limits imposed by the Environmental Protection Authority. The noise impacts that are permitted are the same regardless of turbine sizing.
Environmental: Larger turbines require less concrete, roads and cables per unit of energy generated. This reduces carbon emissions, construction traffic, and vegetation clearance. Their blades are also above the flight paths of most birds, reducing impact to avifauna.
Neoen is currently conducting a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment to identify key risks associated with the Project in relation to landscape and visual amenity to provide information to help inform the projects design.
The Narrogin Wind Farm project will be designed to minimise and mitigate impacts on landscape character, scenic amenity and landscape values to the greatest extent possible through careful siting of turbines. The approach to the LVIA has been developed with reference to accepted guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment from Australia and elsewhere.
Neoen encourage individuals and groups that have questions about visual impact and remedies to engage with us early.
At the end of the wind farm’s life cycle (typically 25-30 years) the wind farm is decommissioned and we remove the wind turbines and all above ground structures and rehabilitate the site. This is a condition of the wind farm’s development approval from the State government and our agreement with the landowners. During decommissioning most of the materials the wind farm is made from can be reclaimed or recycled.
The WA Government wants to to reduce emmissions by 80% by 2030 and recently released its forecast assessment of the market – anticipates 51GW of mostly new reneables by 2042. Our job is to develop and build the best projects possible to help the government achieve this target, and that work for the communities. Its the government’s job to reveiw and approve our development applications. Now is the time to tell us what will make it a really good project from your perspective. We are at the start of the process.
- Good wind profile
- Synergy with existing land uses
- Close proximity to the transmission line.
- Topography suitable for construction.
Neoen believes in sharing the benefits of renewable energies with the communities we operate in.
Narrogin Wind Farm will have a Community Benefits Program in place that will seek to bring a range of benefits to surrounding communities.
We’re keen to hear from the local community how we can share some of the benefits of this project with you plus there will be opportunities to apply for funds from Neoen’s Community Benefit Fund in the future.
Job creation and reinvigoration of the local community and economic uplift for the region during construction.
Phase 1 Development: 1 – 3 years
Phase 2 Construction: 2 – 3 years
Phase 3 Operations: Minimum 25+ years
Refer to project lifecycle.
- Community feedback form
- website news page
ECONOMIC
A 2012 study by SKM on the economic benefits of wind farms in Australia found that, for every 50 MW in capacity, a wind farm delivered the following benefits:
- Direct employment of up to 48 construction workers, with each worker spending approximately $25,000 in the local area in shops, restaurants, hotels and other services (a total of up to $1.2 million)
- Indirect employment during the construction phase of approximately 160 people locally, 504 state jobs and 795 nationwide jobs
- During the contruction phase of the project up to 300 jobs will be created.
- During the operation phase of the project up to 10 jobs will be created.
According to the 2024 CSIRO GenCost report, renewable energy projects are the cheapest sources of new energy generation even with the cost of storage to provide firming with the trend likely to continue into the 2030s.
Neoen pays for any electrical transmission upgrades necessary to connect and operate the project in the electricity grid. This includes construction and maintenance costs for the life of the project.
Neoen does not require government subsidies to finance its projects. We finance our projects through a combination of our own equity and long-term bank loans. However, we sometimes enter into agreements with governments or businesses to sell the power produced by our projects.
All Neoen projects meet strict State and Federal Government regulations and are assessed under these regulations. We work closely with governments to ensure we meet all legal requirements and exceed these requirements wherever possible.
Studies into the potential impact of wind farm developments on property prices, including by the NSW Valuer-General (2009) and Urbis (2016), have concluded there is insufficient evidence to suggest wind farms can be linked to adverse impacts on property prices.
Neoen focuses first on hiring local people for our projects. Locals know the land and have the skills and enthusiasm to support us during construction.
Our core team become regulars at local cafes and pubs, and we love to work with local suppliers who provide their products and services to help us over the life of the project.
Hiring would begin before construction. Pre-construction we will hold a local employment and networking session
You can register your interest via the Narrogin Wind Farm website
We can also describe the services which local companies can provide to support the construction and operation of the wind farm (electrical services, construction contractors/plant hire, administration, water tankers, fuel, accommodation, catering, house rental, landscaping, fencing, cleaning, maintenance, solid/liquid waste processing, labour hire, buses/taxis, security etc.)
Neoen has a strong balance sheet with over $1bn in cash and strong earnings, and listed on the European stock exchange.
There is residual value in the infrastructure which will offset the cost of any decomissioning.
The wind farm can be resold and operated by a third party.
Health & Culture
There are nearly 200,000 wind turbines installed worldwide — many of them in more densely populated areas close to houses.
Some 17 reviews of research literature conducted by leading health and research organisations from all over the world, including the World Health Organisation, Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Centre, the UK Health Protection Agency and the US National Research Council, have concluded there is no published evidence to positively link wind turbines with adverse health effects.
Before it can operate, a wind farm has to demonstrate that noise levels at neighbouring residences will meet strict noise limits. These limits are designed to ensure that noise from a wind farm is not intrusive for the average person.
WA legislation has strict limits around noise, and the project will be developed in strict compliance with these regulations.
Monitoring of dust levels during construction is a basic requirement of each project. Dust generating activities are assessed during windy conditions and are stopped and rescheduled where adequate control of dust generation cannot be achieved.
Visual observation of machinery is undertaken during site inspections in addition to daily prestart checks which ensure all machinery has appropriate emission control devices, is in good working order and is maintained correctly.
Neoen complies with all legislation, including laws regarding the protection of cultural heritage. A cultural heritage assessment forms part of initial studies as does consultation with local Indigenous groups to ensure cultural heritage is protected.
Low flying aircraft are required to fly by sight. Wind turbines are large and clearly visible. All wind turbines and met masts will be registered with the relevant aviation authority according to aviation requirements.
The Project is not located within 30 nm of any certified aerodrome, and therefore will not affect any Procedures for Air Navigation Services
Narrogin aerodrome (YNRG) is located to the east and northeast of the Project. All WTGs are located more than 3 nm from any runway end at YNRG. It is anticipated that the Project would not cause safety impacts for aircraft operations at the aerodrome.
Neoen will carry out a detailed assessment of the access road’s suitability and upgrade requirements including a survey of the road to accurately map out the existing road and where any upgrades or road widening may be required. Any access road to be used will need to be suitably upgraded to handle construction traffic, and Neoen will comply with obligations set out in planning conditions relating to road upgrades and maintenance. This will be done in consultation with neighbouring landowner and regional councils.
To address this matter, an Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Study has been completed, and actions will be taken according to the results to avoid mobile phone and internet disruptions. Neoen will comply with all obligations set out by the State in their Decision Notice, relating to pre and post construction assessments of television and radio reception strength to identify if the Project has had a negative impact, and to implement measures to address this.
ENVIRONMENT
Neoen engages specialist consultants to undertake detailed flora and fauna surveys to determine the ecological attributes of the land.
On all of our projects, we aim to minimise the impact on flora and fauna by designing projects to be constructed outside areas of high conservation significance and adopting control measures during the construction process. During the detailed design, wind turbines will be micro-sited to minimise the potential impact on fauna habitat with turbine heights selected to minimize the overlap between rotor swept area and bird flight heights.
Other mitigation measures include preparing management plans, identifying ‘no-go zones’ within the project site and conducting pre-clearance surveys. Neoen also consults with government departments of environment and biodiversity throughout the development, construction and operational stages of projects, as well as local non-government organisations.
Stock including sheep and cattle take a couple of days to get used to wind turbines, and then are very comfortable with them – they rub up against turbines and use the shade from the towers during summer.
While wind farms are sometimes accused of threatening birds, an energy governance study completed in Singapore has shown that wind farms harm 17 times fewer birds per unit of electricity produced than fossil fuel generation.
Studies show that wind farms are probably responsible for impacting birds at rates that are:
- 400 times fewer than cars
- 500 times fewer than pesticides
- 1200 times fewer than high-tension wires.
In accordance with the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) requirements, Neoen will do pre and post construction weed survey for the disturbance footprint plus a buffer of 5m. Any identified weeds in the disturbance footprint will be removed or treated prior to any ground disturbance works commence. There will also be a detailed weed management plan in place for study area.
Moreover, in accordance with the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) Neoen will implement a vegetation management plan taking weeds in account. The management of weeds within the disturbed footprint, including rehabilitation areas will continue for up to two years post construction or until weed presence cannot be detected.
The NWF site is in the early stages of environmental and hertiage studies. The design/layout of the wind farm is developed to avoid these highly sensitive areas, and we will come back to you at the next community session following these studies.
We are undertaking a noise impact assessment and the Construction Management Plan will ensure that dust and noise pollution will meet the regulations.
Bushfire Mitigation
Neoen undertakes risk assessments and will prepare a bushfire management plan during development. The residual risk of a fire because of a wind turbine is very low.
Location: the turbines are on cleared construction pads that reduce the available fuel load.
Lightning protection: the turbines are equipped with devices that reduce ground strikes that might otherwise start a bush fire.
Continuous monitoring: Neoen maintains a 24-hour control room in Canberra, which monitors the wind farm and can turn off the turbines remotely, in addition to the local maintenance staff and technicians.
Authorities also do not consider that turbines pose unique issues in aerial fire fighting. Pilots view turbines as no different from tall structures and hazards such as power lines, transmission towers, radio masts, mountains and valleys; turbines are simply another piece of infrastructure in the environment that needs to be managed on a risk basis when fighting fires.
Local wind speeds and direction are already highly variable across landscapes affected by turbulence from ridge lines, tall trees and buildings.
Additionally, Neoen will shut down the turbines in the event of a fire.
