Nilgen Wind Farm
Project Overview | Project Updates | Community & Benefits / Environment & Planning/ Resources | Contact Us
Project Status
Development
Indicative Capacity
Up to 250 MW
Local Government Area
Shire of Gingin
Shire of Dandaragan
Location
Nilgen, Western Australia
Mint is proposing to develop the Nilgen Wind Farm, a state significant renewable energy project located 9 km northeast of Lancelin in Western Australia
The proposed project would include:
35 wind turbines
a total generating capacity of up to 250 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable energy
a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
two onsite substations
an operations and maintenance facility
underground electrical connections and cabling
internal access tracks
meteorological monitoring masts
temporary construction facilities
connections to the existing transmission network.
The preliminary layout and project footprint will continue to be refined in response to technical investigations, engineering work, planning requirements and feedback from the community, Traditional Owners, government agencies and other stakeholders.
If approved and built, the Project could generate enough clean energy for up to 170,000 homes and businesses in Western Australia’s South West. The Project will help to replace fossil fuel generation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 498,000 tonnes annually. That's the equivalent of taking 208,000 petrol cars off the road.
Project Location
The Project will be built over two private properties near Nilgen. The involved properties are both working farms. By hosting the project, they will be able to unlock a new, sustainable income stream for their families while complementing their existing farming activities.
The site was selected because it:
has a strong wind resource, including during the evenings and periods of high electricity demand
is close to the existing 132 kV transmission network
has access to established regional transport routes
has been extensively cleared for agricultural use
allows farming activities to continue alongside renewable energy generation.
The site has long been earmarked for wind farm development. A previous development by another developer received planning approval in 2010. That approval has since lapsed and Mint is now progressing a new and separate proposed project, with the intention to further develop, own and operate the wind farm.
An existing dual 132kV transmission line runs directly through the proposed Project area. By connecting to this line, we will reduce connection costs and minimise impacts, as no new transmission lines or network upgrades will be required. This avoids impacts on private property, the community and the environment, and removes one of the biggest sources of delay facing renewable projects across Australia.
The Project’s scale is well matched to the size of the WA market, providing much needed additional capacity to support WA’s changing energy mix and contributing to the State’s rapid energy transition.
The Nilgen Wind Farm is in the development phase.
We are currently undertaking technical investigations and environmental assessments for the Project.
Before we can submit a Development Application, we must assess a number of social and environmental considerations.
These technical assessments help WA’s planning authorities to consider how the Project balances the need for more clean energy with adequate protections for the environment and the interests of the local community.
All of our Project assessments will be carried out by qualified specialists and must carefully consider potential impacts and how these can be either avoided, mitigated or managed. Mint’s preference is to avoid environmental and social impacts wherever possible.
Our approach to technical assessments will also be informed through consultation with the public and key government regulators.
Key assessments will include biodiversity, cultural heritage, noise, landscape and visual impacts and traffic.
We will share preliminary findings progressively, giving the community and stakeholders opportunities to review the information and provide feedback as part of the planning, approval, and assessment process.
Next Steps
Our technical studies will help us test a preliminary wind farm layout and refine it based on study findings. We will make further design and siting refinements in response to feedback from the community and stakeholders.
The main environmental assessments are expected to conclude at the end of this year with bird and bat and cultural heritage studies continuing until mid-2027. During this time, we will also carry out engineering work including wind and energy modelling, site investigations, constructability assessments, further layout development and grid modelling.
We expect to lodge a final concept plan as part of the Development Application in early 2027.
The Project will first be referred to the WA EPA for under the Environment Protection Act 1986.
A Development Application will be submitted to the State Significant Development Assessment Unit for assessment under Part 11B of WA’s Planning and Development Act 2005. The Project will also be referred to the Commonwealth Government for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
If the Project is approved, further detailed design will take place before construction can begin. At this stage, we anticipate construction will occur from early 2028.
Construction of a wind farm is a significant and complex process. Approximately 300 workers will be needed to build the wind farm during the construction phase. Once construction is complete, the Project is expected to operate for 30 years.
Project Updates
Engagement
Community consultation is an essential part of developing a project of this scale. Throughout the preparation of the Development Application, you will be given an opportunity to contribute feedback, share local insights, and highlight potential environmental or social impacts for consideration. Engagement is an important part of informing the design development process.
Upcoming drop-in sessions
You can chat with the Nilgen Wind Farm project team and view our latest site plans at our upcoming drop-in sessions.
Thursday 29 October | 4.30 - 6.30pm
Lancelin Angling & Aquatic Centre
6 Hopkins Street, Lancelin
Friday 30 October | 11am - 2pm
Moora Sports & Recreation Complex
75 Roberts Street, Moora
Saturday 31 October | 10am - 12.30pm
Ocean Farms Community Hall
728 Ocean Farm Drive, Nilgen
We encourage anyone interested in the Project to sign up to our Newsletter to make sure they stay up to date with the Project, including opportunities to provide formal feedback during consultation.
Working with First Nations
The Yued Noongar People are the Traditional Owners of the land. The Yued Aboriginal Corporation is actively involved in renewable energy projects in the region to ensure that Yued People benefit from the significant investments planned on their Country. Mint is committed to working with the Yued Aboriginal Corporation as the Nilgen Wind Farm Project moves forward.
Community & Benefits
We strive to be active and caring neighbours, dedicated stewards of the environment, and create meaningful, lasting benefits for the broader community.
We know that for our projects to be successful, we must work closely with our stakeholders, including landholders, project neighbours, First Nations Peoples and the broader community.
Benefits
We know that our Project will bring inherent economic and social benefits to the community, through a boost to the local economy, local businesses and jobs during construction and operations.
In addition to creating opportunities for local workers, the Project will bring benefits to other industries, including accommodation providers, cafés, and restaurants. Mint is committed to employing local people, sourcing locally wherever possible, and engaging local service providers.
Our commitment to sharing benefits
We will also develop other ways to share benefits of the Project, informed by engagement with stakeholders throughout the development phases of the Project.
We are committed to ensuring that this Project delivers a lasting positive impact for the local community. We will share more information about our commitments to sharing benefits as the project progresses.
Neighbour benefits
We are currently exploring how a neighbour benefit program could be established to ensure that immediate neighbours to the Project share directly in the economic benefits generated by the Project.
Goods & Services Register
We are committed to employing local people and buying local wherever possible.
We are always on the lookout to build new working relationships in the industry and encourage you to register your services and/or business on our Goods & Services Register.
Environment & Planning
The main environmental assessments are expected to conclude at the end of this year with bird and bat and cultural heritage studies continuing until mid-2027. During this time, we will also carry out engineering work including wind and energy modelling, site investigations, constructability assessments, further layout development and grid modelling.
We expect to lodge a final concept plan as part of the Development Application in early 2027.
The Project will first be referred to the WA EPA for under the Environment Protection Act 1986.
A Development Application will be submitted to the State Significant Development Assessment Unit for assessment under Part 11B of WA’s Planning and Development Act 2005. The Project will also be referred to the Commonwealth Government for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Resources
We’ll share project updates and information via our newsletters and our FAQs.
Stay up to date
If the project progresses to the next development step, we will communicate key project updates via our e-newsletters. Sign up below to subscribe to our e-newsletter distribution list.
Get in touch
Feedback and questions are always welcome!
Please get in contact with us via:
1800 HI MINT (446 468)
nilgenwf@mintrenewables.com
complaints@mintrenewables.com
Privacy Policy download here | Complaints Handling Procedure download here
Mint Renewables will engage meaningfully with First Nations people of Australia and mana whenua of Aotearoa to develop long term relationships based on respect and understanding. Mint Renewables acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.