Silverton Wind Farm

The 200 MW Silverton Wind Farm Project is a $450 million energy project operating in north western NSW. The wind farm was the first greenfield development for Tilt Renewables. A joint venture consisting of GE and CATCON was contracted for the engineering, procurement and construction of the wind farm works and connection works were delivered by TransGrid who operate the existing Broken Hill substation.

Construction began in May 2017 with first generation in May 2018 and full generation was achieved in May 2020 following successful resolution of the West Murray Constraint by AEMO and TransGrid in April 2020.  Operations from the wind farm formally commenced in December 2020 following AEMO and TransGrid’s acceptance of the final AEMO commissioning report.

The Silverton Wind Farm is expected to generate approximately 780,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean, renewable electricity each year and is one of the largest wind farm in Australia. This energy will power approximately 98,000 average Australian homes.

The Silverton Wind Farm will produce approximately 780,000 MWh of renewable energy annually, which can power approximately 98,000 average Australian homes.

Location

Silverton Wind Farm is located in the Barrier Ranges of NSW. Its south-western boundary is approximately five kilometres north of Silverton and approximately 25 kilometres north-west of Broken Hill.

The wind turbines are located over the Mundi Mundi Range in the southern portion of the site and Mount Robe Range in the northern portion of the site.

Project History

Approval

The Silverton Wind Farm was approved on the 24th of May 2009 under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) by the NSW Minister for Planning. This approval was based on the Environmental Assessment for the proposed Silverton Wind Farm, prepared by NGH Environmental, dated August 2008.

The approved project is described in the Preferred Project and Submissions Reports which was finalised in January 2009. On 13 May 2009, under Section 75 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth), Stage 1 of the Silverton Wind Farm was declared to be 'Not a Controlled Action'.

Silverton Wind Farm Developments finalised and submitted a Development Application to the NSW Department of Planning, as required under Part 3A of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

For a complete list of approval documentation, visit Silverton Wind Farm Documents.

Modification 3

The Modification 3 Exhibition period was from the 5th to the 28th of August 2016 and submissions were accepted until the 9th September 2016. Twelve submissions were received during the exhibition period.

Modification 3 Submissions Report (PDF)

Project acquisition by AGL

AGL acquired Silverton Wind Farm Developments Pty Ltd in March 2012. Silverton Wind Farm applied for an extension to the original Development Approval to extend the date of construction. Modification 1 was granted in April 2014 and Modification 2 was granted in June 2016.

Modification 3 approval

Modification 3 was approved by the NSW Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC) on the 22nd of December 2016. Modification 3 addresses advancements in wind turbine technology since the project was first approved. The key modifications were a decrease in the number of turbines while increasing the dimensions and capacity of each turbine.

Additionally, the wind turbines and infrastructure relevant to the Concept Plan Approval (Stage 2) would no longer be developed. The documents associated with the original project approval, Modification 1, Modification 2 and Modification 3 can be accessed at Silverton Wind Farm Documents.

Project and Submission Report

Silverton Wind Farm Developments received submissions during the initial public exhibition of the Silverton Wind Farm Environmental Assessment in 2008. The Department of Planning responded to the issues raised, in accordance with Section 75H of the NSW Environmental and Planning Assessment Act 1979.

The Modification 3 Exhibition Period was from the 5th to the 28th of August 2016 and submissions were accepted until the 9th of September 2016. Sessions with the community were held at Silverton and Broken Hill on the 17th of August 2016.

Twelve submissions were received during the Modification 3 Exhibition Period. Nine were submitted by government departments and three by the community. Silverton Wind Farm Developments has considered the issues raised in the submissions and has prepared a Preferred Project and Submissions Report to respond to these issues.

Preferred Project and Submission Report (PDF)

This report redefines the Stage 1 area which is the subject of project approval, and considers and responds to the issues raised in the submissions to the Silverton Wind Farm EA for Modification 3.

For a complete list of project reports, visit Silverton Wind Farm Documents.

News

Operations from the wind farm formally commenced in December 2020 following AEMO and TransGrid’s acceptance of the final AEMO commissioning report.