Tilt Renewables, a Melbourne-based project developer, has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of the installation of the last turbine at its 396-megawatt (MW) Rye Park wind farm in New South Wales.
Announcing the landmark achievement, Tilt Renewables revealed that testing and commissioning activities at the site are well underway, with the complex slated to commence commercial operations in the middle of this year, as per a post on the company's LinkedIn page.
Situated near Yass in the Southern Tablelands, the Rye Park wind farm comprises 66 EnVentus platform V162-6.2 MW turbines manufactured by Vestas Wind Systems A/S, operating in a 6.0 MW mode. Construction of the wind farm commenced in December 2022, with the first power injected into the grid last summer.
A noteworthy aspect of the Rye Park wind farm is its significant commercial agreements. Approximately 55% of its generation capacity is contracted by gold miner Newcrest Mining Ltd, which will utilize the electricity to power its Cadia mine in New South Wales under a 15-year agreement. Additionally, a 15-year renewable energy certificate (REC) agreement covering 45% of the annual output has been secured with utility AGL Energy, benefiting technology giant Microsoft Corp.
Once fully operational, Rye Park will have the capacity to generate approximately 1,188 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually, contributing significantly to the renewable energy landscape in New South Wales and bolstering the region's transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.