Frequently asked questions
You will find below responses to all your frequently asked questions, covering general topics, permitting, noise, shadow flicker, local employment, decommissioning, etc.
Renewable energy
What is renewable energy?
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) states that renewable energy is produced using natural resources that are constantly replaced and never run out. Just as there are many natural sources of energy, there are many renewable energy technologies including wind, solar, and hydro.
What is wind energy?
Wind energy is generated by harnessing the power of the wind through wind turbines. It is a great alternative to burning fossil fuels like coal, because wind energy does not produce greenhouse gas emissions.
How do wind farms generate energy?
Wind farms are located in areas of land where individual wind turbines are connected to the electricity grid. Those wind turbines use the energy of the wind to spin an electric generator, which produces electricity. Wind flows over the blades like air flowing over an aeroplane wing. This flow of air causes a different in air pressure between the top and bottom of the blade, moving the blade and making the central rotor spin. The rotor drives a generator that produces energy to export to the grid.
Why is there increasing support of renewable energy generation from solar plants and wind farms?
Science based evidence has demonstrated that human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases is driving global warming. Fossil fuel burning (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy consumption is the main source of these emissions.
In 2015, 196 nations agreed to a legally binding international treatment on climate change that is called the Paris Agreement. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. In order to achieve this goal, countries across the world are transitioning their energy generation systems from fossil fuels to renewable energy such as wind and solar.
Can renewable energy technologies provide a reliable supply of electricity?
Renewable energy technologies generate electricity intermittently, as the wind does not continuously blow and the solar radiation intensity is not constant. Nevertheless, different ways to use energy from wind and sun have been developed to maintain a reliable supply of electricity, such as pairing wind farms with solar farms and/or energy storage such as batteries.
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The company
Who is Naturgy Group?
Naturgy Group, parent company of GPG, is a pioneering multinational group in gas and electricity integration, operating in more than 20 countries, with 16 million customers, and 9,335 employees, of which more than 50% work outside of Spain. As of 2020, the Group has an installed capacity of 15,333 MW, an EBITDA of 3,714 million euros and the value of its assets amounts to 39,545 million euros.
Who is Global Power Generation?
Global Power Generation (GPG) is the international energy generation arm of Spain-based Naturgy Group (Naturgy). GPG has accumulated extensive experience developing over 4GW of power generation projects in 9 countries across the world and currently employs around 520 people worldwide.
Who is Global Power Generation Australia?
GPG Australia is the Australian entity of GPG, established to develop, construct and operate renewable assets in Australia based on the valuable experience and expertise of its mother company, GPG, and its mother group, Naturgy, in the renewable energy sector.
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The project
Where is the Darlington wind farm site located?
The proposed Darlington Wind Farm is located approximately 5km south west of Darlington and 8km north east of Mortlake along the Hamilton Highway, within the Shire of Moyne. The project covers an area of approximately 5,900 hectares
How many wind turbines are proposed?
The wind farm has proposed up to 45 wind turbines.
How the wind farm will be connected to the grid?
A new onsite substation connecting to the existing 500KV Haunted Gully-Tarrone transmission line has been proposed. GPG Australia has lodged a connection enquiry with AEMO in November 2020, confirming the viability of this connection approach.
How much energy will be generated by the wind farm?
The Darlington wind farm will deliver renewable, low-cost energy to the national grid, enough to the national grid, enough to supply over 300,000 average Australian homes per annum.
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Permitting
Has GPG received the necessary permits for the Darlington wind farm?
The project is at early stage of planning and GPG Australia is carrying out various studies and preparing relevant documentation. A permit application will be prepared concurrently with the EES.
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Local Content and Employment
Do you use Australian suppliers and contractors?
We are committed to supporting the development of Australia’s renewable energy industry by utilising a substantial proportion of local content in our facilities, and employing local members of the community both directly, and indirectly through our contractors.
How many local jobs will be created to build and operate the Darlington wind farm?
The Darlington wind farm will create more than 300 direct jobs during the construction phase, and at least a further 6 permanent jobs will be created to support the ongoing operations of the wind farm.
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Community Engagement
How will GPG contribute to the local community?
GPG is committed to keeping an appropriate level of social license with the community through the lifetime of the wind farm. In addition to utilising local content and local employment, GPG will contribute to the development of the community through the implementation of Community Engagement and Benefit Sharing Plan. This plan will include a range of different initiatives such as a Neighbours Benefit Sharing Program, which will be available to all residents close to our wind farms as compensation for the potential impacts of the wind farms. In addition, GPG will fund a Community Grants Program that will invest in local projects or initiatives identified by a committee that GPG will create with the local community.
Who do I contact to receive regular updates or to address my concerns?
If you would like to receive a regular newsletter about the progress of the Darlington wind farm or if you have any feedback, please visit the section Contact us on this website.
How will the community be engaged and consulted throughout the development stage?
The consultation plan has been developed to outline how GPGA will inform, consult, and respond to the community during the EES application, and assessment phases.
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Operation and Decommissioning
What is the expected lifetime of the Darlington wind farm?
GPG Australia is an independent power producer, and operate its renewable energy plants for the duration of their design life. The expected lifetime of proposed wind farm will be 30 years.
How will GPG manage the end-of-life decommissioning of the facility?
As a subsidiary of Spanish utility Naturgy Group, GPG is an experienced and responsible global developer and operator of power generation assets. GPG has a long-term owner vision and intends to operate the wind farms for it’s design life in partnership with the community. At the end of the operating life of the wind farms, GPG is committed to fulfilling all decommissioning responsibilities and returning the site/land to the local community.
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About us
The project
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Detailed information about the Community Engagement and Benefit Sharing Plan associated to the project during the Construction and Operation phases can be found here
Get access to endorsements and permitting documentation for all key aspects of the project from compliance, modifications and all plans for key assessments.