Evoegy Consulting

Neoen has revised its Tchelery Wind Project In NSW, reducing the number of turbines while adding a battery energy storage system (BESS). This highlights a growing trend of developers adapting projects based on community and environmental feedback, ensuring long-term sustainability and public support. The project will now feature 74 turbines instead of 120, with a capacity of 577MW rather than 800MW. At the same time, Neoen is adding a 350MW/700MWh or 200MW/800MWh BESS, ensuring the energy generated does not go to waste and can be deployed when needed. Tchelery is in the South-West Renewable Energy Zone and will either connect to existing 200kV lines or, if all goes according to plan, the new 330kV Project Connect transmission line. One of the biggest hurdles is transport. These are some of the largest turbines ever installed in Australia and moving them will not be simple. The 100-meter-long blades will be shipped via the Port of Newcastle, but at least 15 points along the road need upgrades—wider roads, tree removals, and even temporarily dismantling signage. That is all before considering how the tower sections, some of the largest ever used here, will take up two lanes of traffic and require police escorts. Developers are shifting focus from sheer capacity to smart, adaptable designs that balance efficiency with sustainability. Battery storage is becoming a non-negotiable, it is essential for bridging the gap between generation and demand. This shift proves that bigger is not always better; what truly matters is delivering reliable, consistent energy. #renewableenergy #windfarm #turbines #communityfeedback #environment #australia #REZ #batterystorage #evoegy

We were honoured to take part in Aon’s Renewable Energy Insights Forum 2025, contributing to the ‘How to Manage End of Life / Obsolete Technology’ session. A huge thank you to Patrick Behan and the entire team at Aon for organising such a well-structured and insightful event. The discussion on risk identification and mitigation strategies for ageing renewable assets was incredibly engaging, with more questions from the audience than we could address on the day — a testament to the importance of this topic in today’s evolving energy landscape. The event was expertly put together, bringing together technical and insurance perspectives to help asset owners navigate the complexities of end-of-life infrastructure. We truly appreciate the opportunity to share our insights and collaborate with industry peers. #RenewableEnergy #AssetManagement #RiskMitigation #Insurance #EnergyForum #InsightsForum

Independent modelling from the Clean Energy Council highlights a stark reality. If Australia slows the rollout of renewables, household energy bills could climb by 30 percent, and small businesses will face a 41 percent increase by 2030. Research from Jacobs compares two futures, one in which Australia meets its 82 percent renewable energy target by 2030 and another in which progress stalls in favour of coal, gas, and waiting on nuclear. The results show sticking with coal and expensive gas will drive prices up, costing households $449 and small businesses $877 more annually. With 90 per cent of Australia’s coal plants set to retire by 2035, keeping them running is a costly risk. Ageing infrastructure means higher prices and grid instability. Instead, the report confirms that renewables such as wind, solar, pumped hydro, and battery storage offer the cheapest and most reliable path forward. For the wind industry, this reinforces the need to expand wind power to replace unreliable coal, cut costs, and ensure grid resilience. If Australia stays on track, gas-fired electricity costs will be $770 million in 2030, but if renewables are delayed, that figure could soar to $2.3–$3 billion. With 75 per cent of Australians listing the cost of living as a top election priority, now is the time to double down on renewables. The sooner we act, the better for everyone. #renewableenergy #sustainability #energytransition #australia #energybills #windpower #solar #pumpedhydro #evoegy

After months of uncertainty, the 1.4 GW Bungaban Wind Project, owned by Windlab, is back in action! This is a huge milestone for Queensland’s renewable energy sector and a lifeline for major industrial players like Rio Tinto, which locked in Australia’s biggest power purchase agreement to supply its smelter and refinery. Without access to affordable renewables, these facilities faced closure by the end of the decade. Earlier this year, the new LNP government put the brakes on four major wind projects, citing the need for a stricter planning review. While they have distanced themselves from Labour’s renewable targets (50% by 2030, 80% by 2035), Queensland’s potential for wind energy is undeniable. Strong night-time winds make large-scale projects like Bungaban a game changer for energy security and decarbonisation. The project can move forward now that the government is satisfied that Bungaban met its consultation requirements. Meanwhile, other wind farms, including RWE’s 1.1 GW Theodore Wind Project and Windlab’s 1.4 GW Wongalee Wind Project, are on hold until further evidence of community engagement is provided. There is still work to be done, but this decision demonstrates that renewable energy projects can overcome political and regulatory obstacles. Increased wind power results in a cleaner grid, reduced industrial emissions, and a more robust future for Queensland’s economy. #windenergy #renewables #queensland #energytransition #windfarm #sustainability #decarbonisation #communityengagement #evoegy

What if, instead of tearing down old wind farms, we gave them a second chance? That is exactly what is happening at Huxley Hill, Australia’s oldest continuously operating wind farm. Instead of decommissioning, Hydro Tasmania is refurbishing its aging turbines, proving that old does not mean obsolete. It is a bold decision, but one that makes sense. The $11.5 million investment will extend the wind farms’ life by at least 15 years, restoring vital renewable energy capacity to King Island. The two largest turbines alone already replace 640,000 litres of diesel per year, and once the upgrades are complete, including a new battery system, diesel savings could reach up to 1.8 million litres annually. Jesse Clark, Hydro Tasmania’s executive general manager of assets and infrastructure, sums it up perfectly: “The repowering will provide an important example of how to effectively maintain and refurbish aging wind farms to reduce waste and cost.” And with more wind farms approaching the end of their lifespans, this could be the start of a much bigger trend. There is plenty of debate about the future of wind energy, and this project highlights a massive opportunity. Refurbishment could be a game changer, prolonging clean energy production, cutting costs, and making the sector even more sustainable. #windpower #renewableenergy #sustainability #australia #energyinnovation #refurbishment #investment #evoegy

Dutch-based Fugro has been awarded a key contract to conduct soil investigations for Parkwind’s Blue Mackerel offshore wind farm. Using its specialist vessel, Fugro Mariner, the company will collect and analyse seabed soil samples to support the project’s structural integrity and reduce construction risks. Anil Chanana, Country Head for Parkwind Australia, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are excited to get to the next stage of site characterisation on our Blue Mackerel flagship project in Australia, and are pleased that Fugro will be collaborating with us to undertake this important geotechnical survey.” The project recently received a boost with approval from the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator, allowing feasibility studies, including geotechnical investigations, to move ahead. With a 1 GW target by 2032, Blue Mackerel aims to power over 500,000 Victorian homes. This contract follows Furgo’s geotechnical work on Star of the South, Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project. When fully developed, it could generate enough power for 1.2 million homes. With growing investment and global expertise, Australia’s offshore wind industry is accelerating. Victoria’s 9 GW target is within reach, and offshore wind is set to be a breakthrough for Australia. #offshorewind #renewableenergy #australia #sustainability #windpower #energytransition #soilinvestigations #furgo #bluemackerel #evoegy

As reported by Renewables Now Ltd, the federal government has approved three major wind projects in New South Wales, adding a combined 2.4 GW of capacity. This expansion will power hundreds of homes and reduce carbon emissions by 6.5 million tonnes annually, solidifying the country’s push to become a renewable energy leader. Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek hailed the approvals as a “huge milestone” for Australia’s energy transition. The projects include Tilt Renewables 1,332 MW Liverpool Range Wind Farm and Squadron Energy's 700 MW Spicers Creek Wind Farm. Each will play a vital role in scaling up wind power capacity and replacing fossil fuels with cleaner alternatives. The Liverpool Range Wind Farm, a $2 billion investment, will be built in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). Originally designed with 267 turbines, the project has been optimised to use fewer but more powerful turbines, ensuring greater efficiency. Meanwhile, Squadron Energy’s Spicers Creek Wind Farm will consist of 117 GE Vernova turbines, generating sufficient electricity to power over 395,000 homes. Finally, ENGIE Australia’s Hills of Gold Wind Farm, located near Hanging Rock and Nundle, will feature up to 62 turbines, delivering clean energy to 163,000 households. These projects represent exactly the kind of large-scale investment Australia needs to stay on track for its clean energy targets. More renewables mean lower emissions, greater energy security, and a boost for regional economies. While approvals are an important step, the focus now must shift to ensuring fast and efficient project delivery. #renewableenergy #sustainability #australia #windfarm #turbines #cleanenergy #investment #emissions #economy #evoegy

At Sydney’s URBNSURF, pro surfer Josh Kerr recently rode the waves on a surfboard crafted from recycled wind turbine blades, the latest example of how we can create a circular economy for renewable energy. This exciting development comes from a partnership between Kerr’s surfboard brand, Draft Surf, and ACCIONA Energy. This project is part of Acciona’s broader Turbine Made initiative, which seeks Australian partners to scale up turbine blade recycling. Bowen emphasised the importance of these innovations in addressing waste concerns, stating: “Around 90 per cent of what’s in a wind tower can be recycled. They can be shoes, they can be playground equipment, they can be surfboards. So, when you see someone saying, what are we going to do with all the waste, we’re going to recycle the waste.” With 31 wind farms in Australia now entering their mid-life, and thousands of turbines poised for decommissioning in the coming decades, sustainable solutions like these are essential. While most turbine components are recyclable, the blades have posed the greatest challenge – until now. Recycling methods are evolving rapidly. Mechanical recycling shreds blades for use in cement or plastic production, while pyrolysis and solvolysis break down composite materials for repurposing. These solutions are already in action, Acciona has used recycled turbine blades to make sneakers in Europe and solar tracker components in Spain. Their Waste2Fiber facility, set to process 6,000 tonnes of turbine material per year by 2026, marks another step toward closing the loop on wind energy waste. Integrating recycling solutions from the outset is key to a truly sustainable transition for Australia's growing wind sector. With 2,100 MW of Acciona’s projects alone and the MacIntyre Wind Farm set to be the country’s largest, this innovation sets a new benchmark for renewables. #renewableenergy #sustainability #windturbine #bladerecycling #circulareconomy #australia #prosurfer #innovation #evoegy

We’re pleased to share that Chris Buller, our Director and Senior Principal Engineer, will be speaking at Aon’s Renewable Energy Insights Forum 2025 on 18 March. Chris will be providing technical insights on risk identification and mitigation strategies for assets at end of life, out of warranty, and with obsolete technology. His expertise in renewable energy infrastructure, systems, and technical project development will help inform the discussion on how owners and operators can effectively manage ageing asset risk. Alongside Chris, Henry Buck will offer perspectives on obsolescence risks, insurance structuring, and financial protections, ensuring a well-rounded discussion on strategies to safeguard renewable energy investments. This session will be a great opportunity to bridge technical and financial perspectives—ensuring asset owners can navigate challenges with confidence. #RenewableEnergy #Insurance #AssetManagement #EnergyForum #InsightsForum

Australian renewable energy developer Wind With Purpose (WWP) has unveiled plans for an ambitious 2.5 GW offshore wind farm, Catalpa Offshore Wind, off the coast of Western Australia. This forms the third stage of WWP’s Kwinana Wind Zone, following their 50 MW and 200 MW onshore wind projects. With Catalpa Offshore Wind and their upcoming Southern Scarp Wind development, WWP is driving a massive 5 GW wind energy portfolio in WA. By 2030, they aim to have 1.5 GW operational and 3.5 GW in advanced development or construction—a bold vision for clean, reliable power in the state. WWP welcomed the Australian government’s designation of the Indian Ocean offshore wind zone near Bunbury, calling it a “significant milestone” in Western Australia’s energy transition. The company emphasised offshore wind’s crucial role in meeting rising clean energy demand and decarbonising heavy industry’s carbon emissions. This large-scale development strengthens Australia’s position in offshore wind and creates local job opportunities, supports industrial decarbonisation, and enhances energy security. With WA’s vast coastline and strong winds, the region is primed to become a renewable energy leader, and WWP’s vision is bringing that future closer to reality. #energytransition #sustainability #renewableenergy #offshorewind #australia #indianocean #decarbonisation #evoegy