Tilt Renewables has officially opened the 396-megawatt Rye Park wind farm in New South Wales, currently the largest operational wind energy facility in the state, as part of ongoing efforts to expand Australia’s renewable energy capacity.
Located near the township of Rye Park, north of Yass and east of Boorowa, the wind farm comprises 66 turbines, each capable of generating 6 megawatts. The project was formally launched by New South Wales Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Heritage, Penny Sharpe.
“Projects like Rye Park wind farm show the strong progress being made in the energy transformation,” Sharpe said during the launch. “With three out of four of the state’s remaining coal-fired power stations due to close in the next decade, Rye Park plays a vital role in keeping the lights on.”
Tilt Renewables Chief Executive Anthony Fowler described the project as a milestone in the company’s expansion and in Australia’s broader clean energy transition. “With 66 turbines now standing tall across these hills, the fully operational Rye Park wind farm can generate up to 396 megawatts of renewable energy – enough to power approximately 215,000 homes,” he said.
More than half of the wind farm’s output is contracted to Newmont’s Cadia gold mine through a long-term power purchase agreement, while the remaining energy is sold to Tilt Renewables investor AGL, contributing to supply stability in the grid.
The opening ceremony included a ribbon-cutting event at a turbine site, followed by a community gathering at the Rye Park Recreational Ground. During construction, Tilt Renewables invested $250,000 in local benefit-sharing initiatives, and has committed to providing over $230,000 annually to community groups through a Community Enhancement Fund managed with local councils.
