Biala Wind Farm
Biala Wind Farm is a 31-turbine wind farm located approximately 6km south of Grabben Gullen on Grabben Gullen Road, 8km east of Biala and 14.5km southwest of Crookwell in the Southern Tablelands of NSW. The wind farm is 100% owned by BJCE Australia, which owns the nearby 73 turbines Gullen Range Wind Farm and 10MW Gullen Solar Farm.
Biala Wind Farm has an installed capacity of approximately 110MW producing enough electricity for around 46,000 typical homes on an average day of wind.
Construction started in August 2019 with the first clean power generated in 2020.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like further information, or if you would like to provide feedback or lodge a complaint about the proposed wind farm.
News
The latest wind farm news is below. You can view archive news here and download our newsletters here.
News item: 15/04/2024: Biala Wind Farm To Host FREE Community Fund Think Tank
On Sunday 28th of April, Biala Wind Farm will host a Community Fund Think Tank at the Grabben Gullen Hall aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge of the Biala Wind Farm Community Fund.
The Think Tank will provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about what projects the Fund can support and is aimed at generating innovative big-picture project ideas that will deliver the greatest benefit to the local community for years to come.
The Community Fund Think Tank will kick-off at 11:30 am at the Grabben Gullen Hall. To register for this FREE event, please visit https://tinyurl.com/ybt6h4vs or call 0429 614 297. Community groups and residents who are unable to attend can submit questions ahead of the Think Tank by phone or email at [email protected].
News item: 12/04/2024: Biala Wind Farm Community Fund further supports local initiatives
The successful applicants for the 2023 Biala Wind Farm Community Fund have been announced, with five initiatives receiving more than $140,000 in support to further enrich the Upper Lachlan Shire environment and lifestyle.
Successful applicants for the 2023 Funding Round included:
- Upper Lachlan Landcare Inc. – Community Film Screening – $3,432.00
- Gunning District Landcare – Planting the Next Generation of Paddock Trees – $18,477.38
- Crookwell Senior Citizens Club – Seniors Solar Sun Sense – $31,232.00
- Crookwell Memorial Hall S355 Committee – Solar Panels on the Roof of Crookwell Memorial Hall – $52,028.00
- Upper Lachlan Landcare Inc. – Supporting Grazing Practices to Grow Local Resilience – $44,748.00 (local strategic project grant over three years)
Biala Wind Farm contributes $2,500 per turbine (adjusted annually for inflation) to the Fund each year, with a focus on projects and initiatives that will provide lasting community benefit for residents.
“We are very pleased to continue to support the local community through the Biala Wind Farm Community Fund,” said Karl Schubert, Head of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations.
“It is a privilege to be a part of the local community, and to provide this funding to support a number of worthy local projects that contribute positively to the region.”
The Biala Wind Farm Community Fund is administered by the Upper Lachlan Shire Council, with applications for the 2024 Funding Round to open later this year.
Further information on the Biala Wind Farm Community Fund can be found here.
News item: 15/03/2024: Biala Wind Farm Extends Deadline for TV Reception Program Applications
Biala Wind Farm has announced it will further extend its popular TV Reception Program until 30 June 2024. The Program, aimed at improving TV reception for nearby residents, was introduced in 2021.
Anyone living within 5km of a Biala Wind Farm turbine can apply for the TV Reception Program, which provides up to two Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) boxes.
The Program involves a local TV technician visiting eligible resident’s homes to assess reception. If the reception can be improved by fitting a new, standard sized aerial to the rooftop, Biala Wind Farm will supply and install this free of charge. Should this option not be sufficient, the Program will supply and fit a maximum of two VAST™ boxes to the home, also free of charge.
“As part of our commitment to local communities, the Program seeks to improve TV reception for residents regardless of whether or not it has been affected by the Biala Wind Farm” Mr Karl Schubert, Head of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations, explained.
“Due to the Program’s popularity, we have decided to further extend the closing date. Over 60 residents have applied successfully and are now enjoying improved TV reception.
“We hope others will take advantage of this opportunity and get in touch with us before the Program closes.” Mr Schubert said.
Local TV technician, Hudson Pratley, who provides the installation services to residents, said, “I have enjoyed working for Biala Wind Farm over the years and the residents in the program are pleased with the support from Biala Wind Farm to improve their television reception. I urge everyone who is eligible to take advantage of this free program.”
Southern Cross Media and Imparja broadcast the full range of digital commercial television channels (with programming from the 7, 9 and 10 networks). VAST™ also provides channels from ABC and SBS. The local news content from regional broadcasters is also available on dedicated local news channels exclusive to VAST™.
Grabben Gullen resident Donna Green was one of the first to join the Program.
“The application process was very easy and the installation of the VAST™ box has improved our television reception a great deal” Ms Green said.
“We don’t have any interference and we don’t continually lose signal anymore which is great. We can now also get the free to air channels, whereas before we could only receive Channel 9.”
Eligible residents can find out more about the TV Reception Program and apply online by visiting the Biala Wind Farm website https://bialawindfarm.com/tv-reception-program/
News item: 15/03/2024: Book your FREE tour ticket and visit Gullen Range Wind and Solar Farm
Get up close to a wind turbine and a solar array at our next public tour. The next tour will be held on Wednesday, 5 June 2024 from 11 am. To book your free ticket click here.
News item: 14/03/24: Next CCC meeting date announced
The next CCC meeting will be held on Tuesday, 24th September 2024 from 5.30 pm at the Grabben Gullen Hall. For more information click here.
News item: 22/12/2023: December Community Newsletter