Mainstream, Someva win permit to study 500-MW wind project in NSW forest

Mainstream Renewable Power said on Thursday that it joint venture (JV) with Australia’s Someva Renewables has secured a permit to investigate the possibility of installing a wind farm of around 500 MW in a state pine plantation in New South Wales.

The Sunny Corner JV is one of four companies to be awarded the wind project investigation permit by Forestry Corporation, the forests manager of New South Wales, following a 15-month competitive tender and selection process.

Announcing the winners on Thursday, Forestry Corporation CEO Anshul Chaudhary explained what the permit entailed: “A permit is not a consent to proceed with a project, but it will allow the proponent to start the detailed studies to see if a project is viable within each investigation permit area”.

Mainstream and Someva have proposed to investigate a site within the Sunny Corner State Forest, located about halfway between Lithgow and Bathurst and 200 km (124.3 miles) from Sydney’s central business district. Much of the forest is used for industrial softwood production by the New South Wales state-owned Forestry Corporation.

Going forward, the Sunny Corner JV and other winners will follow the same steps, which include the installation of a meteorological mast and consultations with local communities. If approved, the project would progress through the normal development and approvals process, Mainstream said.

The JV plans to keep the Sunny Corner State Forest accessible for forestry users and recreational activities throughout the development, construction and operation of the wind farm.

Mainstream owns a 51% stake in the Sunny Corner project, while Someva holds the remaining 49%.

In 2021, the New South Wales Parliament passed amendments to the Forestry Act 2012, allowing State Forests to host renewable energy projects within softwood timber plantations. The permits to the Sunny Corner JV and the three other winners, Neoen SA (EPA:NEOEN), Iberdrola Australia and TagEnergy, are the first to be awarded since the amendments were passed.

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