The Australian government has approved a new large-scale wind farm in the Riverina region of New South Wales, set to generate enough clean energy to power around 590,000 homes.
The Pottinger Wind Farm, located between Hay and Deniliquin, marks the 107th renewable energy project approved by the Albanese government under national environment law.
The approval comes with strict conditions designed to minimise environmental impacts, following a comprehensive assessment process.
Once operational, the 1,300 Megawatt (MW) facility is expected to cut almost three million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year — equivalent to taking more than a million cars off Australian roads.
The site’s 247 turbines will feed energy into a 500 MW battery storage system, allowing the supply of clean electricity even when the wind isn’t blowing.
Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said the project demonstrates how renewable energy developments can deliver tangible benefits to regional economies.
“Not only will this project deliver clean, cheap, and reliable power to the Riverina and surrounds, but it will also improve infrastructure and increase jobs and investment in the local community.
“During construction, the project will support up to 900 jobs with a further 50 created to support ongoing operations.
Watt said the project would involve upgrading and improving roads in Hay, Conargo and Broken Hill to support the transport of project components, delivering direct benefits to local communities and businesses that rely on those routes.
He added that while the Coalition continues to debate the reality of climate change, communities are already embracing the shift to cheaper, cleaner energy.
Since 2022, Watt noted, the Albanese government has approved more than 100 renewable energy projects — enough to power every home in Australia.
