Narrogin East renewable energy project

The Narrogin East renewable energy project is a proposed renewable energy development combining up to 250MW of wind power, up to 150MWdc of solar panels and a battery storage system of up to 200MW. It is located primarily on grazing land approximately 6.5km east of the town of Narrogin. Wind turbines generate electricity when the wind blows, while solar panels do so when the sun shines. The battery stores excess energy for use during periods of low wind or solar production. Together, this combination means more reliable, on-demand low-carbon electricity day and night, supporting Western Australia’s shift to renewable energy.

The Narrogin East project may be delivered in stages. More detailed plans regarding the staged approach will be developed and shared as the project progresses and further assessments are completed.

The current project layout accommodates up to 34 turbines, though the final number may be smaller. This will be refined through detailed environmental studies, technical optimisation and ongoing community consultation prior to finalisation.

We are proposing modern turbines with a capacity in the order of 6 to 8 MW each, a hub height of up to approximately 150 metres, and blades of approximately 90m long. The expected tip height would be approximately 240 metres. Modern designs are significantly more efficient than older models and, though larger, require fewer turbines to generate the same amount of energy.

Exact component locations will be finalised after environmental, technical, cultural heritage, and community input.

Careful site selection is crucial to balance strong renewable resources with minimal impact on local communities and the environment. The Narrogin East site was chosen for its excellent wind and solar potential and its distance from major townships and protected natural areas, as well as its proximity to transmission infrastructure which reduces the need for construction of new transmission assets to achieve grid connection. The overwhelming majority of land within the project’s overall footprint will continue to be used for agriculture alongside the proposed renewable energy infrastructure.

Australia’s electricity grids are increasingly moving toward a combination of solar, wind and storage to provide the overwhelming majority of the country’s electricity. These technologies are highly complementary – peak solar generation tends to occur during the middle of the day, while wind generation tends to be strongest at night (though this can vary considerably from site-to-site). Meanwhile, batteries store excess electricity when wind and solar generation exceeds demand and then release it during peak demand times. Batteries also provide numerous forms of services to maintain grid frequency, helping to keep the grid stable and prevent blackouts.

While it is not necessary to integrate wind, solar, and battery storage within one site to achieve this complementarity, by doing so significant reductions can be achieved in overall land use and environmental impacts. Further, by effectively allowing multiple generation assets to share ancillary infrastructure such as substations, transmission lines and other operational facilities, hybrid facilities can achieve substantial cost reductions which can ultimately benefit consumers in the form of lower electricity bills.

The energy generated by the Narrogin East project will feed directly into Western Australia’s electricity grid (i.e. the South West Interconnected System, or SWIS), supplying low-carbon energy to homes, businesses, and industry across the state. The addition of local generation and battery storage can strengthen the reliability of power in the region, and the project will help support broader energy affordability and sustainability goals for all Western Australians.

Protecting wildlife and habitats at a local level is a core principle of Lightsource bp’s approach. Before the site layout is finalised, detailed environmental studies are undertaken to identify local flora and fauna species and their movement patterns. Where possible, sensitive wildlife areas and corridors will be avoided, and infrastructure locations, including wind turbines, will be adjusted to reduce impacts, such as on known bird flight paths.

Modern wind farms are designed to minimise risks to birds and bats, including avoiding known flight paths and, where necessary, implementing operational strategies.

Experience from operating renewable energy projects in Australia has shown that livestock such as sheep and cattle can continue to graze comfortably around turbines and solar panels. With best-practice management, wind and solar farms coexist positively and safely with local wildlife and agricultural use.

Ongoing monitoring and the implementation of management plans will ensure that any potential impacts during construction and operations are identified and addressed. All activities will follow strict state and Commonwealth environmental regulations and aim to support local biodiversity.

The project is committed to minimising land clearing and avoiding valuable remnant vegetation. Most of the site will remain in agricultural use, with only some areas needed for turbine pads, access roads, batteries and solar panels.

Environmental surveys prior to and during layout design identify protected plants or habitats, enabling avoidance wherever possible. Any unavoidable impacts are strictly regulated by state and Commonwealth environmental laws.

Following construction, disturbed areas are rehabilitated and weed control is a key feature of both construction and operational phase management plans, helping to maintain and support local ecosystems.

Lightsource bp acknowledges the Gnarla Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation (GKBAC) as the representatives of the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Narrogin East project is proposed to be situated and will continue to consult Traditional Owners throughout the development and construction phases. Cultural heritage surveys will be conducted in partnership with Indigenous representatives to identify and protect significant sites. The project will avoid identified areas of cultural importance and follow all legal requirements set by state and Commonwealth heritage laws.

Lightsource bp also strives to involve Aboriginal and First Nation communities in benefit-sharing initiatives and economic opportunities such as employment and training during the construction and operations phases.

Lightsource bp understands the importance of bushfire safety for rural communities and is making fire risk management a priority throughout the development and operation of the Narrogin East project. The project will be planned, constructed and operated in close consultation with local fire authorities, and comprehensive bushfire management measures will be in place, including water tanks and firefighting equipment on site.

The wind farm’s internal access roads act as firebreaks while also improving access for emergency vehicles. In the event that firefighting aircraft are required near the site, wind turbine operation will be paused to ensure safe airspace navigation.

Emergency and bushfire management plans will be prepared with local and state fire authorities, including procedures to pause turbines for aerial firefighting, fuel‑reduction zones, on‑site water storage, and training exercises.

An extensive review of scientific research by the National Health and Medical Research Council has found no consistent evidence of adverse health effects from living near wind turbines.

Wind farms must also comply with strict noise standards set by the state government’s Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. The project will be designed in accordance with these regulations to ensure that its effect on the existing ambient noise levels in the area is minimal. Failure to do so may result in the EPA forcing turbine operations to be curtailed or shut down as necessary to achieve compliance.

The minimum setback will be 1.5 km from neighbouring dwellings, with greater distances applied if needed to meet noise, shadow flicker, and visual amenity standards. Noise will be modelled by independent consultants pre-construction and verified post-construction to ensure compliance.

Projects of this size inject many millions of dollars into the local economy. Depending on the final size, technology mix and the timing of construction of each component of the project, the workforce will likely peak at around 400 full-time jobs during the construction phase, with between 10-20 ongoing skilled roles (depending on the project’s final size and technology mix) during the assets’ operational lives of over 30 years. Local businesses can expect demand for accommodation , catering, trades, equipment hire, fuel and more. Information on available jobs and contracts will be shared widely as the project progresses to ensure that interested persons and businesses have the opportunity to participate.

A Community Benefit Fund will provide support for local infrastructure, services, or community projects, and will be administered in concert with local councils and local community representatives. The funding structure and governance will be determined through consultation with the community to ensure it reflects local priorities and needs. The Fund and related initiatives will be designed in line with the relevant guidelines , ensuring best practice and delivering transparent, equitable support for the local community.

Lightsource bp is assessing options for housing the construction workforce, including undertaking a Social Impact Assessment. We understand housing availability is an important issue for the local community and are committed to minimising any impact our project may have on the supply available to residents.

While there may be some use of short‑term accommodation in the early stages, the majority of the construction workforce will be housed onsite during the main construction phase. This approach will minimise pressure on local housing and ensure accommodation needs are managed responsibly.

Modern wind turbines have expected operational lives of at least 25 years, and typically 30. At the end of this period, all above-ground and below-ground infrastructure will be removed, including turbine hardstands and internal access roads, and turbine blades, and the site will be rehabilitated in accordance with the approved decommissioning plan. Most turbine components – such as steel and copper – are highly recyclable, and rapid advances are being made in recycling turbine blades.

The project’s commitment to full decommissioning will be enshrined both in planning approvals and in binding contracts with host landowners, so landowners and the community will not be left with unwanted equipment, waste or cost.

Lightsource bp is committed to open, ongoing communication. This will occur in several ways:

• Public information sessions will be held prior to submission of a planning application, and there will be an opportunity for community members to make submissions on the application during the planning approval process. Feedback will influence final design decisions and management strategies, ensuring the project reflects local priorities as much as possible.
• Project updates will be regularly provided via the website and by direct communication methods, such as email.
• The project team will seek to conduct one-on-one meetings with all nearby neighbours and will be available to meet with other interested members of the community as requested.
• Please see further below for details on how to reach the project team with questions or other enquiries.

Lightsource bp encourages all community members to reach out with questions, feedback, or suggestions. Information sessions, website updates, regular newsletters, and a dedicated contact line and email address can be found below. The project values transparency and is committed to addressing all community input as planning and development move forward.

To contact the project team:
Phone: 1800 570 663
Email: narroginproject@lightsourcebp.com

Please feel free to use these contact details to get in touch at any stage of the project.