Shire of Kondinin could be home to two wind farms and a solar farm as renewables company prepares bid

The Shire of Kondinin could soon be home to two wind farms and a solar farm with a renewable energy company set to put in their bid to construct a 30-turbine wind farm near Hyden. Renewable energy development company SyergyRED plans to lodge a development application for a 30-turbine wind farm located 30km north east of Hyden. SyergyRed is a subsidiary of Synergy that explores and develops renewable energy solutions. The wind farm would span 3000ha with the capacity to produce about 125MW of power — the equivalent of powering up to 100,000 homes. SynergyRED manager of renewables development John Lorenti said the power generated from the wind farm would be consumed locally as well as in the city. “We will be seeking development approval for a wind farm capable of generating 125MW of power,” he said. “If you think about what the relates to in terms of energy and how much we use at home, that’s about 75,000 to 100,000 homes. “The wind farm capacity is far in excess of the demand in the Kondinin shire but it will flow into both the shire and into the city.” Mr Lorenti said the location was chosen because it was a good area from a “wind resource perspective”. SynergyRED held two community information sessions at the Hyden Sports Pavilion on May 18 and 19. “Right now we are preparing our primary approval application which is for our development approval,” Mr Lorenti said. “We had information sessions with the community and that’s in support of that process. “It’s important for the community to understand a little bit more about the project and for us to hear feedback. “We have a relationship with the landowners and we will be talking with neighbors and landowners about the project and updating them on progress.” Mr Lorenti said construction would “ideally” start in 2023 if all development applications were approved. “It would be about a 24-month construction period,” he said. “During the construction period there would be opportunities for local businesses to participate,” he said. “We encourage our construction partners to seek opportunities with local businesses.” Meanwhile, renewable energy development company Lacour Energy has received all development approvals for the Kondinin Wind and Solar Farm Project located 5km north east of Kondinin. The project could see the construction of up to 46 wind turbines with the capacity to produce about 60MW of solar power and battery energy storage. The project is currently in the feasibility phase and if the study demonstrates a viable project then construction would commence in 2022, according to the Lacour Energy website. Shire of Kondinin chief executive David Burton said both wind and solar farms would have benefits for the district. “The wind farm east of Hyden is in the preliminary stages at the moment and once the formal development application has been submitted we will have further detail on the development and it will be advertised for public comment,” he said. “The projects will be a welcome boost for the towns when they go ahead, both for growth in the region and also as a renewable energy source.”