ABOUT THE CLIENT
THE SAPPHIRE WIND FARM PROVIDES CLEAN ENERGY TO 115,000 HOMES AND DISPLACES 700,000 TONNES OF C02 EACH YEAR.
Sapphire Wind Farm is located on Ngarabal Country, 18 km west of Glen Innes, in the New England region of northern NSW. It is the largest operational wind farm in New South Wales and has helped the ACT Government meet its target of 100% renewables in 2020 by providing a long term power purchase agreement.
The Sapphire Wind Farm provides clean energy to 115,000 homes and displaces 700,000 tonnes of C02 each year.
The wind farm has helped to create 259 direct jobs, has an annual output of 764 GWH and partners with ACT Government, Commonwealth Bank, Flow Power, Fujitsu, Nestle and Transurban.
THE SOLUTION
SBL SOLUTIONS INSTALLED 74 VESTAS WIND TURBINE GENERATORS.
SBL Solutions held the mechanical and electrical Installation scope of works on this construction project which saw the installation of 74 Vestas V126 Wind Turbine Generators.
COMMUNITY
SAPPHIRE COMMUNITY FUND GIVING $3.75M BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
The Community Fund is one of Sapphire Wind Farm’s commitments to give back to the community in a tangible and long-term way. The fund is split between the Inverell Shire Council and the Glenn Innes Severn Council based on the number of turbines installed in each area.
Two of the seventy-five turbines are in the Glenn Innes Severn Council area. The Wind Farm contributes $5k annually to the Glenn Innes Council community fund. The remaining annual contribution of $182.5k is allocated to the S355 Sapphire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund set up for the Inverell local government area which is administrated by the Inverell Shire Council.
TIMELINE
- Project Identification and site selection
- Development application and environmental impact statement
- Post approval, contracting and financing
- Early works and design
- Wind turbine erection
- Operations
THE LOCATION
SAPPHIRE WIND FARM IS LOCATED IN THE KINGS PLAINS AREA OF NEW SOUTH WALES.
The Wind Farm is located in the Kings Plains area of New South Wales, 18 kilometres west of Glen Innes and 28 kilometres east of Inverell, New South Wales.
IMPACT
BENEFITS
RURAL FIRE SERVICE FIRE SHED
Sapphire Wind Farm has been fortunate to be able to work together with the RFS on multiple occasions for tasks such as developing emergency response plans, training drills and controlled hazard reduction burns.
SUN PROTECTION FOR ELSMORE HALL KIDS
Elsmore Hall saw a huge upgrade in 2020 thanks in part to funding from Sapphire Wind Farm and the Federal Government. A magnificent new playground, seating area and solar panels were added, with Sapphire providing extra budget to purchase and install shade sails to ensure sun safety.
EKKA JUNIOR JUDGING AND CATTLE SHOWING
In August 2022, Sapphire Wind Farm sponsored the students at Macintyre High School Inverell, Inverell High School, Holy Trinity School Inverell and Glen Innes High School to visit and compete in the annual Ekka (Royal Queensland Show).
INVESTMENT
PIONEERING AUSTRALIA’S FIRST, LARGE-SCALE, PUBLIC, COMMUNITY INVESTMENT INTO A UTILITY-SCALE WIND FARM.
The project is pioneering Australia’s first, large-scale, public, community investment into a utility-scale wind farm. The Sapphire Wind Farm Community Co-investment allows members of the local community to invest in the Sapphire Wind Farm.
“Between the Sapphire Wind/Solar Farm and the White Rock Wind/Solar Farm, plus the Glen Innes Wind Farm, this small area will become one of the biggest complexes of renewable power in Australia or elsewhere.” – The Inverell Times
CONTACT SBL SOLUTIONS
Get in touch with SBL Solutions today. Our business’ number one priority is customising our clients’ s to provide the best possible solutions and outcomes for any given scenario. If you’d like to know more about us and our services, simply contact us to start the experience of Australia’s largest and leading service provider in the industry.