Bango Wind Farm now fully operational

Bango Wind Farm’s 46 turbines are now fully operational and generating clean, renewable energy to 144,000 homes, preventing 543,000 t of carbon emissions from being released into the atmosphere annually.

It will also play a role in making groceries greener, after Woolworths agreed to purchase electricity from Bango for around 30% of its NSW energy needs, equivalent to 108 supermarkets.

Tattarang Chairman, Andrew Forrest, said the opening of the wind farm is an important milestone for Squadron Energy and a significant development in Australia’s transition to green energy.

According to Forrest, the industry needs to deliver an average of 40 wind turbines a month to reach the federal government’s target of 82% renewables by 2030.

“Business, in full partnership with government, must work to do everything we can to bring our emissions down as a nation. Squadron will play a leading role in this, providing one-third of the energy required to reach 82% renewables by 2030,” Forrest said.

Jason Willoughby, Squadron Energy CEO, said, “I am thrilled to mark the opening of Bango Wind Farm today, which follows Crudine Ridge Wind Farm entering operations early last year. “This is another step forward for our company as we deliver on our 20 GW development pipeline of wind, solar and battery projects across Australia.”

Bango Wind Farm is located 30 km north of Yass in the South Western Slopes region of NSW. During construction, the project benefited the local community, supporting more than 320 jobs and injecting $14m into the regional economy.

Snowy Hydro and Transurban have also signed power purchase agreements to buy electricity from Bango Wind Farm.

Along with the operating Sapphire Wind Farm, the opening of Bango Wind Farm means Squadron Energy is now supplying 80% of the combined electricity needs of Sydney’s Eastern Distributor, Cross City Tunnel, Hills M2, Lane Cove Tunnel and WestConnex toll roads.