ENGIE ANZ has secured agreements with local landholders and will begin community consultation and feasibility studies, with the aim of seeking development approval in 2024.

If approved, the Plains Renewable Energy Park (PREP) will comprise up to 240 wind turbines and the equivalent of up to 48,000 rooftop solar systems, which would combine to provide enough renewable energy to power 910,000 average homes.

ENGIE ANZ’s General Manager of Asset Development and Delivery, Mr Leigh Newbery, said ENGIE representatives will be in Hay in August to introduce the proposal to the local community.

“We are committed to engaging with our stakeholders and to being open and transparent,” Mr Newbery said. “Our priority is to gain an understanding of community views and local considerations that can be taken into account in developing an initial design.”

The concept will also be informed by site studies and preliminary investigations, including ecology, cultural heritage, landscape and visual, geotechnical, noise and vibration, and traffic and transport.

If approved, the PREP will deliver a range of benefits for the local community, including increased economic activity, and new job opportunities throughout construction and ongoing operations.

Mr Newbery said the proposed location had excellent wind and solar resources and by being close to transmission infrastructure, supports the delivery of cheap, reliable and clean electricity for homes and businesses in NSW.

“ENGIE is excited about the opportunity of developing the PREP in consultation with the Hay community and I encourage locals to get in contact with our team.”

The project can be contacted on free call 1800 845 067.