Flat Rocks Stage 1 Wind Farm

Overview

The 75 MW Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 is located approximately 30 km south-west of Kojonup, Western Australia. The Wind Farm comprises of 18 wind turbine generators and related civil and electrical infrastructure.

Key Project
Details

Status operational Location 30km south-west of Kojonup, Western Australia PPA partner Fully contracted with BHP Wind

Technology: Wind 315 GWh Energy production 75 MW Operational Capacity

Project Approvals

The relevant Development Approvals for the Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 have been obtained from the Kojonup and Broomehill-Tambellup Shire Councils.

The Approvals set out conditions that must be complied with in undertaking the development. The conditions cover construction, operation, decommissioning, and administrative matters. To enable optimum development and efficient operation, several amendments to the Development Approvals have been obtained. The Development Approvals are for the entire Flat Rocks Wind Farm Project; however, Stage 1 was acquired by Potentia Energy (as Enel Green Power) in early 2022.

In early 2024, Potentia Energy (as Enel Green Power) lodged a proposed introduction of a Special Control Area around the Flat Rocks Wind Farm (Stages 1 and 2). Special Control Areas form part of the Local Planning Schemes and guide the use and development of land in designated areas. Special Control Areas are an overlay that sit above the underlying Rural or Farming Zone of the Local Planning Scheme. The proposed Special Control Area would act as a mechanism to enable the Kojonup and Broomehill-Tambellup Shires to assess whether a development proximate to the wind farm is compatible. Through a planning assessment process, it would aim to minimise amenity impacts, especially noise, on new sensitive land uses by promoting engagement and information sharing between the wind farm operators and landholders/applicants of sensitive land uses.

The proposed Special Control Area boundary is based on noise modelling that was assessed as part of the Flat Rocks Wind Farm Development Approvals. The predominant use of the land within the proposed Special Control Area is broad acre farming or cropping. There would be no impact to these activities under the proposed Special Control Area. Other development within the proposed Special Control Area boundary would require relevant Development Approvals.

Special Control Areas are introduced via an amendment to the Local Planning Schemes. Amendments follow a statutory approval process governed by the Planning and Development Act 2005 (Planning Act) and its subsidiary Regulations. This process includes an extensive public advertising period, governed by the legislation.

Potentia Energy recommends interested stakeholders provide relevant feedback via submission during the formal public advertising period, this will be undertaken in accordance with the Planning Act and Regulations. Potentia Energy will provide updates on the status of the Special Control Area application to this website, including key milestones such as dates for public advertising period.

Project Timeline

2011-2022

Project Development

Development of the Flat Rocks Wind Farm by Moonies Hill Energy, including assessment by the relevant consent authorities and obtainment of Development Approvals (and subsequent modifications) from the Kojonup and Broomehill-Tambellup Shire Councils.

2022

Acquisition of Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1

Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 acquired by Potentia Energy (as Enel Green Power) from Moonies Hill Energy. Followed by start of construction at the Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 site.

2024

Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 commenced operating

Community Fund

Potentia Energy is committed to financially supporting the local Kojonup, Broomehill and Tambellup communities through the Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 Community Fund.

The intent of the fund is to support non-profit organisations close to the Wind Farm by funding local initiatives that benefit the broader community.

The Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 Community Fund comprises of $75,000 each year shared across the Kojonup and Broomehill-Tambellup shires for the life of the project.

These documents set out the administration of the Community Fund:

Guidelines View PDF Application Form Under $5,000 View PDF Application Form Over $5,000 View PDF

The Community Fund was launched in 2023, successful recipients from the 2023 funding rounds can be viewed here.

From 2024, the Community Fund will be undertaken in one annual funding round. Applications for the Community Fund for 2024 were open from 1st April 2024 and closed on 31st May 2024. Potentia Energy will advertise the dates and details for the 2025 funding round early next year.

Project Resources

The general resources below are intended to outline key project details, including facts and figures, and frequently asked questions for the Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1.

Project Layout for Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 View PDF Project Factsheet for Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 View PDF Wind Turbine Factsheet for Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 View PDF Frequently Asked Questions about Wind Farms View PDF Frequently Asked Questions about Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 View PDF Transportation of Wind Turbine Components View PDF Proposed Dwelling Notification Form View PDF

Project Updates

Project updates are intended to keep the local community informed of project details, status and timing, plus related local community initiatives and events. The project updates below are archived updates from the project’s construction phase.

2022 Updates

July View PDF October View PDF August View PDF November View PDF September View PDF December View PDF

2023 Updates

February View PDF March View PDF April View PDF May View PDF June View PDF July View PDF August View PDF September View PDF October View PDF November View PDF December View PDF