Case Study
Valley of the Winds Wind Farm
900 MW wind farm with 131 turbines across the Warrumbungle Shire—one of NSW's largest renewable energy projects.
Project Overview
Valley of the Winds is a utility-scale wind farm project with approximately 900 MW capacity proposed in the Warrumbungle Shire of NSW. The project will consist of up to 131 wind turbines, capable of powering ~500,000 homes annually.
Spread across three clusters near Coolah, it sits within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone. In June 2025, the project received planning approval from the NSW Independent Planning Commission.
Key Metrics
- Capacity: ~900 MW
- Turbines: Up to 131
- Homes Powered: ~500,000
- Peak Construction Jobs: ~500
- REZ: Central-West Orana
My Role
As Planning Manager for ACEN's wind projects, I oversee scheduling and risk planning for Valley of the Winds as it approaches construction:
- Planning the wind farm construction sequence from site access roads to grid connection
- Creating detailed schedules for turbine deliveries and crane mobilisations
- Integrating external timelines including transmission line development by EnergyCo
- Engaging with local stakeholders and community
Challenges & Solutions
With 131 turbines over undulating terrain, logistics planning is critical. I create detailed schedules for turbine deliveries and crane mobilisations to ensure efficient erection cycles.
A highlight of my role is engaging with local stakeholders—I schedule regular check-ins with community and council to ensure our timeline aligns with community needs (for example, minimising construction traffic during harvest seasons). By employing a data-driven, transparent planning approach, I build trust with both the client and community.