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 turbine 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.

BJCE Australia is proud to be a founding signatory of the Clean Energy Council’s Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Developments. The charter is a voluntary set of commitments to reflect our promise to develop and operate projects in a socially responsible way. The charter can be downloaded here.

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: 20/06/24: June Community Newsletter

The June 2024 Community Update is now available to read and download here.

 

News item: 17/06/24: UPDATE: Crane movement at Biala Wind Farm

Generator replacement works have now been completed at Biala Wind Farm, and local residents may see an increase in truck movements as the cranes are demobilised and removed from site across a number of days. We will work to ensure minimal impact on local traffic and road networks as this is undertaken.

 

News item: 04/06/24: Cranes a sight to see at Biala Wind Farm

Local residents will be treated to some interesting sights at Biala Wind Farm over the next few weeks, with one of our turbines undergoing a generator replacement.

Three specialist cranes have recently been delivered to site, with each crane being used to complete a different part of the generator replacement work programme.

A mobile slewing crane will assist in constructing a 220-tonne crawler crane, which comes to site in multiple pieces due to its size. Both the slewing and crawler cranes will then work together to construct a massive 750-tonne crane, which will take down one the turbine hubs all while keeping the three blades of the turbine intact.

The crane parts have been delivered to site over the past few weeks, across approximately 60 semi-trailer loads while the replacement generator also arrived last week.

Considering the height of the wind turbine is 180m from the ground to the tip of the rotor blades, it’s no wonder numerous cranes and multiple steps are involved in this highly complex, yet routine, maintenance project.

The entire generator replacement process will take approximately three days to complete, after which the cranes will be disassembled and removed. Biala Wind Farm will continue to ensure minimal impact to local traffic and roads occurs during this period.

 

News item: 24/05/24: UPDATE – Turbine checks following earthquake at Taralga

Inspections of wind turbines at Biala and Gullen Range Wind Farms have now been completed, with no issues found following the earthquake on Thursday morning.

 

News item: 23/05/24: Turbine checks following earthquake at Taralga

Following this morning’s earthquake, our teams have enacted our emergency response plans, which includes inspecting all turbine foundation bolts, tower bolts and the general condition of each turbine. We expect the inspections to be completed within the next 48 hours. Our wind turbines are built to withstand events such as this and inspections are undertaken as a best practice and precautionary measure. Once they have been completed we will provide an update to the community.

 

News item: 30/04/24: Community Fund Think Tank generates discussion and big ideas

Biala Wind Farm hosted a Think Tank session at Grabben Gullen Hall on Sunday, 28 April, with around 15 members of the local community coming together to hear more about the Community Enhancement Fund.

Attendees started off with a delicious BBQ lunch thanks to the Crookwell Lions Club, followed by a presentation from Biala Wind Farm representatives, which helped to nurture a deeper understanding of what can be supported through the Community Enhancement Fund. The Think Tank comes off the back of a recent survey undertaken by the Wind Farm to hear more about what local residents would like to see improved upon in the area in and around Grabben Gullen.

The Think Tank was a great opportunity for residents to share ideas for what they feel would be of most benefit to the local community, and for Biala Wind Farm representatives to further explain the application and review process.

Local community groups are encouraged to start planning their applications ahead of the next round of funding, which will open in the coming months. Dates for submitting applications for the next funding round will be announced by Upper Lachlan Shire Council.

More information on the Community Enhancement Fund can be found here. Should local community groups or residents have any queries regarding the Fund, they can contact Biala Wind Farm at [email protected] or on 1800 370 045 (please leave a message advising you would like to discuss the Community Enhancement Fund and we will call you back).

 

 

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: 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.