Pottinger Energy Park
Someva Renewables proudly acknowledges that Pottinger Energy Park is located on the lands of the Wiradjuri and Nari Nari people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and value working with First Nations groups on renewable energy projects.
Project Overview
The proposed Pottinger Energy Park project, which is being developed by Someva Renewables and AGL Energy, is located approximately 60km south of Hay and 75km north of Deniliquin in NSW’s historic Western Riverina region. The project is also located within NSW’s South West Renewable Energy Zone.
The Pottinger Energy Park project is named after the Pottinger family – one of the first families to install and maintain windmills in the region. This adoption of wind power in the early 1900s helped to develop a thriving local agriculture industry and the Pottinger Energy Park seeks to build on that legacy to create a prosperous future for the region.
Once completed, the Pottinger Energy Park will generate up to 1,200MW of clean, affordable and reliable energy – enough to power up to 830,000 Australian homes.
Someva’s community co-design process means the Pottinger Energy Park project will operate alongside with existing agricultural practices, with up to 220 wind turbines and 300MW of solar supported by an advanced battery storage facility.
DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET
Creating up to 980 jobs through construction and operation
Providing up to $1.5 million in community benefits per annum
Clean, affordable and reliable power for up to 830,000 homes
Advanced battery storage
Protecting biodiversity and local threatened species such as the Plains Wanderer
Identifying and protecting culturally significant Indigenous sites
220
Wind Turbines
300
Megawatts of Solar
100
Australian-owned and operated
1,200
Megawatts of clean energy
Interactive Map
Click to view turbine locations and zoom in for project layout
Turbines
Solar FarmEstimated Project Timeline
2022-23
Initial community consultation, wind monitoring and Scoping Report.
SEARs received from the Secretary of the NSW Department of Planning.
2023-24
Preparation of Environmental Impact Statement and development application (DA).
UNDERWAY
2024-25
Public exhibition of the Environmental Impact Statement and ongoing community consultation.
2025
NSW Government determination of development application.
2026
Construction to start pending final approvals.
2026-27
Procurement, early works and final design established.
2028-29
Energy generation to begin.
Project Community Benefits
Someva is deeply committed to implementing a tailored community co-design process that ensures communities share in and benefit from our renewable energy projects.
Our co-design process means we spend time in regional communities listening to, and working with regional communities to ensure our projects deliver tailored economic, social, and environmental outcomes. This means we:
- Take input to improve the design of the project to address feedback from neighbours, local business and special interest groups (such as the Nari Nari Tribal Council, Hay Local Aboriginal Land Council, Deniliquin Local Aboriginal Land Council, Coleambally Irrigation Co-operative and SunRice amongst others).
- Design Community Benefits Funds to meet the specific needs of residents in the Hay Shire Council and Edward River Council local government areas.
- Create a customised neighbour benefits package for those who live closest to the project.
Someva works closely with local communities, local councils and First Nations peoples to create local Community Benefits Funds that are tailored to the regions where we operate.
Funding is expected to be administered through voluntary planning agreements with Hay Shire Council and Edward River Council these agreements will also outline the process for applying for funds. Opportunities for funding will be provided on an annual basis and will include support for special projects that require greater investment upfront.
The design of the voluntary planning agreements will be advertised through local council websites for community feedback.
Someva takes the time to get to know landowners in the communities where we operate. We pride ourselves on developing long-lasting relationships that we know will last decades. As part of this process, we work closely with project neighbours on both the design of our projects, and in developing Neighbour Agreements that provide landowners with long-term, reliable and consistent climate-resilient financial certainty.
Someva has been in discussion with nearby neighbours on the design of this program which includes opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of farming operations and receive project data that may improve their business operations.
The Pottinger Energy Park is expected to create 900 jobs through construction with an additional 80 jobs during operations.
Construction on the project may commence in late 2026 pending a decision from the NSW Government. One of the key criteria on whether the project will receive approval will be on the scale of regional development and involvement of local businesses in the supply chain. As such, Someva has registered an Expression of Interest page through the Industry Capability Network.
If you are a local business interested in working with Someva please register through the Industry Capability Network link HERE.
Pottinger Energy Park FAQs
What is the proposed scale of the Pottinger Energy Park?
If approved, Pottinger Energy Park project will include up to 220 wind turbines and up to 300 MW of solar power supported by state of the art battery technology. Once complete, the Pottinger Energy Park will generate enough clean, affordable and reliable energy to power up to 830,000 Australian homes.
Why was this site chosen?
The Pottinger Energy Park is located approximately 60 kilometres south of Hay in south west NSW and sits within the NSW South West Renewable Energy Zone. The area is perfectly suited to wind and solar energy and is located close to existing transmission lines. You can learn more about the South West Renewable Energy Zone HERE.
The project is situated across Hay and Edward River Local Government Areas.
Who is behind the Pottinger Energy Park proposal?
If approved, the Pottinger Energy Park project will be a 100% Australian-owned project. It is being developed by NSW-based, Australian-owned Someva Renewables and AGL Energy, proudly Australian for over 185 years.
What are the benefits for the local community?
If approved, the Pottinger Energy Park project will help create up to 980 full-time jobs. This includes up to 900 jobs during construction, and a further 80 full-time jobs during operation. Someva Renewables is also partnering with the local community to invest up to $1.5m per year in community funds via a voluntary planning agreement with local councils ($30m over the life of the project). Have your say on how this community investment fund should be used HERE.
How will the Pottinger Energy Park project impact local farming operations?
Someva’s co-design process means we have engaged with local landholders to ensure existing farming operations can and will operate alongside renewable energy. Renewable energy projects such as the Pottinger Energy Park also help to provide local landholders with a climate and drought resilient revenue stream helping to provide long term economic certainty for local farming businesses and families. The project will use less than 3% of the hosts’ land and will be located on land that has been identified as lower productivity areas.
How will the Pottinger Energy Park project impact the local environment?
Someva is currently finalising an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. Through Someva’s co-design process, we have engaged with and listened to the community to ensure the Pottinger Energy Park helps to protect the local environment. For example, we have committed to tailoring the design of the project to help protect habitat for the endangered Plains Wanderer while also working with landholders to protect crucial wetland areas.
How will the Pottinger Energy Park project impact local Indigenous heritage sites?
Someva is currently finalising an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. Our co-design process involves working closely with local Indigenous groups including Hay Local Aboriginal Land Council, Deniliquin Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Nari Nari Tribal Council. We have committed to tailoring the design of the project to protect important Indigenous cultural sites.
When will the Pottinger Energy Park be operational?
If approved, we expect the Pottinger Energy Park to commence operations in 2029, with construction to begin in 2026.
Has the community been consulted on the project? Is there local support?
Yes. Our co-design process involves listening to and engaging with the local community on the design of the Pottinger Energy Park project. In addition to local information events, you can speak directly to our team, or organise a meeting with us HERE. You can also have your say on the Pottinger Energy Park project by completing this short SURVEY.
What are the benefits for local businesses?
Someva is committed to working with local businesses during the construction and operation of the Pottinger Energy Park project. You can register your interest in partnering with Someva here. In addition the Pottinger Energy Park project is also expected to provide an economic boost to the Hay Shire and Edward River Council regions. For example, up to 600 full-time jobs will be created during construction, with a further 80 full-time jobs created throughout the operational life of the project. The project has been listed on the Industry Capability Networks Gateway and can be access here Pottinger Energy Park- Wind Farm, Solar Farm, and Battery (BESS) Project (icn.org.au).
I am a local business owner, how can I register my interest to partner with Someva on the Pottinger Energy Park project?
Someva is committed to working with local businesses during the construction and operation of the Pottinger Energy Park project. We have commenced seeking interest from local business through the Industry Capability Networks Gateway. Local businesses can register their interest HERE Pottinger Energy Park- Wind Farm, Solar Farm, and Battery (BESS) Project (icn.org.au). Alternatively you can register your interest in partnering with Someva HERE.
What are the noise impacts of the proposed wind farm?
The closest residential property to the Pottinger Energy Park project is over three kilometres away, so there are no noise impacts for local residents.
How can I show my support for the Pottinger Energy Park project?
You can show your support for the Pottinger Energy Park by:
- talking to your friends, family and neighbours about why you support the Pottinger Energy Park project
- emailing your local council/MP with a letter of support
- submitting a short letter of support when community consultation on the Environmental Impact Statement begins in 2024
- join our mailing list and we will reach out with regular updates.
Partnering with the community
Someva’s co-design process involves listening to and genuinely engaging with the local community to ensure our renewable energy projects deliver tailored economic, social, and environmental benefits.
When it comes to the Pottinger Energy Park project we have listened to local landowners, residents, the Hay Shire Council and Edward River Shire Council, Indigenous groups, local businesses and environmental groups.
During this engagement, we heard about the importance of tailoring the design of the Pottinger Energy Park to ensure agriculture can successfully co-exist with renewable energy, while helping to protect the local environment, including habitat for the endangered Plains Wanderer. In addition we are committed to protecting and preserving culturally significant Indigenous sites.
You can have your say by completing the short survey or if you are a local business interested in working with Someva, you can contact us below.
Contact us
Contact our leadership team for Pottinger
Jamie Chivers – Jamie.c@someva.com.au or phone 0423 336 345
Tim Mead – tim.m@someva.com.au or phone 0419 900 277
For all media enquiries, please email us below.
