Forest Products Industry

One of the four project developers seeking to build large wind farms within the NSW government’s pine forest plantations has unveiled detailed plans that include giant 8-megawatt (MW) turbines, and a big battery scaled at up to 2,000 megwatt-hours (MWh). Source: Renew Economy The Sunny Corner wind project is being put forward by Mainstream Renewables and Someva Renewables, and would be located in Forestry Corp plantations between Lithgow and Bathurst, in an area already heavily populated by coal mining, coal fired generators and other coal industry assets. They propose a wind farm of around 500 MW, although the details of its first scoping report filed with the NSW planning authorities also indicates up to 80 turbines at 8 MW each, which of course would total around 640 MW. These would likely be among the biggest turbines in the country, although it should be noted that other projects at a similar development stage are also looking at 8 MW turbines. Most turbines being installed now are around 6 MW, or smaller. The 8 MW turbines will have a hub height of up to 185 metres and a maximum tip height of up to 285 metres. The exact scale of the battery, which the developers say will help smooth out price volatility and support the grid, will be finalised in the next phase of planning. The project is located close to existing and proposed renewable and battery projects, including the Crudine Ridge wind farm, the Glanmire and Brewongle solar farms and the proposed Panorama big battery. It will be just 15 kms from EnergyAustralia’s Mt Piper coal fired power station, likely to be the last coal generator standing in what remains the country’s biggest coal state, and its proposed Mt Piper battery. The proposed Lake Lyell pumped hydro project is 18 kms away. “Sunny Corner is situated in the central west of NSW which has a long his-tory of energy generation and supplying the people of NSW,’” the scoping report notes. “To date, this generation has come from coal power stations including those near Wallerawang and Mt Piper.” The developers say the area also has a strong wind resource. “The ability of the area to transition from historic to renewable energy sources is evidenced by the emergence of new and existing renewable energy technologies in the area, such as Lake Lyell and Central West Pumped Hydro, multiple solar farms and standalone BESS (big batteries) such as Wallerawang and Mount Lambie,” it says. The developers say the layout of the wind farm, and the final scale, are not finalised, and will be subject to community consultation, with a number of meetings to be held in coming weeks. “It’s important to note that the initial layout is just a starting point, and an opportunity for feedback and to host discussions based on where turbines might be.” Someva’s Jamie Chivers said in a statement. “We are keen to present an opportunity for near neighbours and community members to benefit from where turbines may be located. We want to ensure the voices of near neighbours, and the wider community are heard, shaping a project that delivers shared benefits for decades to come.” The NSW Forestry Corp has allocated permits for the potential development of four different wind projects. Two others, The Pines from TagEnergy and Stromlo Energy, and Iberdolar’s Canobolas, are in the same central west region, while Neoen’s Bondo wind project is in the south of the state.  

The State Government in Victoria is supporting new ways to use Victorian timber, with a study launched on two new timber products designed to take low value timber and turn it into sustainable construction materials which could support new jobs for South-west Victoria. Source: Timberbiz Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes has announced a feasibility study to explore the potential to take the new innovative timber products to the Australian market, which could bring up to 150 jobs to the region. The Future Fibre – Hardwood Timber Manufacturing Hub Feasibility Study was made possible by a $500,000 Victorian Government investment through the Portland Diversification Fund. It will allow the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub Association to investigate whether glue laminated timber and laminated veneer lumber could meet Australia’s growing demand for construction grade timber products. The new products are made from low-value pulp log material, which is typically exported as wood chip, and were developed as a possible solution to diversifying Southwest Victoria’s hardwood timber industry. The study, which is co-funded by the Victorian Forest Products Association, will investigate whether it is viable to establish a manufacturing hub in the Glenelg Shire. Running until October 2025, the study will examine a potential hub location, logistics, facilities, infrastructure, regulatory approvals and implementation timelines. The initiative is part of the Portland Economic Diversification Plan which is supporting long-term economic growth in the Glenelg Shire through community-led projects and planning. This includes $7.3 million in funding to upgrade freight roads and provide road infrastructure to industrial land in Portland. “With global demand for wood fibre forecast to increase and Australia remaining a net importer, this study is critical to identifying opportunities for increased value capture within the Green Triangle Hardwood Plantations and, in particular, Portland and the Glenelg Shire,” Green Triangle Forestry Industries Hub Chair, Cameron MacDonald, said. Victorian Forest Products Association CEO Andrew White said that Victoria was a leading state for plantation wood fibre production, with substantial opportunities to manufacture innovative engineered hardwood products, like structural timbers, that would address future demand for multi-story residential developments, as the population grew, and the market sought more climate-friendly building materials.