The Bald Hills Wind Farm is an operating wind farm located approximately 10 km south east of Tarwin Lower in South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. The Bald Hills Wind Farm site covers approximately 1,750ha of largely cleared cattle and sheep grazing farmland. The turbines are located in three distinct areas, one to the west and one to the east of Tarwin Lower Waratah Road, and one near the end of Bald Hills Road.[1]

Bald Hills Wind Farm
Bald Hills Wind Farm in 2017
Map
CountryAustralia
Location10 km south east of Tarwin Lower, Victoria
Coordinates38°47′20″S 145°55′34″E / 38.789°S 145.926°E / -38.789; 145.926
StatusOperational
Commission date2015
OwnerEnergy Infrastructure Trust
Wind farm
Type
Hub height85 metres (279 ft)
Rotor diameter92.5 metres (303 ft)
Site area1,750 hectares (4,300 acres)
Power generation
Units operational52 × 2.05 MW
Make and modelSenvion MM92
Nameplate capacity106.6 MW
Capacity factor40.69% (projected)
Annual net output380 GWh (projected)
External links
Websitebaldhillswindfarm.com.au

Overview

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The Bald Hills Wind Farm received planning approval from the Victorian Government and approval from the Federal Government under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. This followed extensive project feasibility studies and Environmental Effects Statements (EESs). The EESs were assessed by an independent panel.

Bald Hills Wind Farm comprises 52 turbines of 2.05 MW capacity each, giving it a total capacity of 106.6 MW.[2] It is expected to produce 380 GWh of electricity per year, based on the long-term average forecast wind data.[3] This is the equivalent of meeting the electricity requirements of over 62,000 homes—over four and a half times the homes in the South Gippsland Shire (based on 2006 census data).

Construction of the wind farm commenced in August 2012 and it became fully operational in May 2015.[4][5]

In 2022, the Supreme Court held the wind farm had caused a noise nuisance to two nearby residents, and indicated it would award damages and grant an injunction to restrain further nuisances.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Bald Hills Windfarm: Location, retrieved 21 April 2011
  2. ^ Bald Hill Wind Farm: About, retrieved 18 June 2017
  3. ^ "Wind Farm News National Wind Farm Open Day 2018" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  4. ^ Bald Hill Wind Farm, retrieved 18 June 2017
  5. ^ Henderson, Jenni: "Bald Hill wind farm progresses despite ongoing hurdles", ABC, 27 May 2014
  6. ^ "Landmark wind farm noise ruling a 'momentous victory' for rural communities". Australia: ABC News. 24 March 2022.
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