Puzzle Range Wind Farm
Puzzle Range Wind Farm
Puzzle Range Wind Farm is a proposed renewable energy generation development located between the towns of Merton, Bonnie Doon and Fawcett in the Murrindindi and Mansfield Shire areas in North-East Victoria.
Consisting of 300-350 megawatts (MW) of wind generation capacity, and 30-50MW battery energy storage (BESS) on-site, the Puzzle Range project is anticipated to connect to the existing Ausnet transmission network and supply clean energy to the National Electricity Market to support the transition to a net-zero and climate resilient Victoria by 2050 as outlined in the State’s Climate Change Strategy.
Puzzle Range Wind Farm would generate enough clean electricity to power about 195,000 Australian homes each year and has been identified for its wind resource and proximity to existing transmission infrastructure.
The project is being developed by Tetris Energy, an Australian renewable energy company developing a range of wind, solar and storage projects in Australia. With a focus on the long-term viability of regional communities, the development of Puzzle Range Wind Farm would generate significant investment and economic benefits in the broader Murrindindi and Mansfield Shire regions and would be compatible with existing agricultural and farming activities.
Project Overview
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Tetris Energy is committed to ongoing and genuine engagement with the local community and project stakeholders to build strong relationships and establish a win-win project.
To help promote a high standard of community engagement across the renewable's industry, the Clean Energy Council has developed a Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Projects with an emphasis on community engagement. Tetris Energy is committed to honouring this charter in our renewable energy projects.
We will continue to engage with neighbours and broaden the consultation effort to include the wider community and stakeholders throughout the planning process as more assessments and investigations are completed and detailed information becomes available.
This consultation will provide valuable local insights into identifying opportunities and constraints for the proposal. Please use the contact form below to register your interest.
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The Environment Effects Act 1978 provides for assessment of proposed projects (works) that are capable of having a significant effect on the environment. The Act does this by enabling the Minister administering the Environment Effects Act to decide that an Environment Effects Statement (EES) should be prepared.
The environment includes the physical, biological, heritage, cultural, social, health, safety and economic aspects of human surroundings, including the wider ecological and physical systems within which we live.
A final assessment of the effects of a proposal requiring an EES is provided to relevant decision makers by the Minister to enable them to make decisions about a proposal in the knowledge of its environmental effects and the Minister’s advice about whether the proposal provides an acceptable outcome.
The EES process provides for the analysis of potential effects on environmental assets and the means of avoiding, minimising and managing adverse effects. It also includes public involvement and the opportunity for an integrated response to a proposal.
When lodged, the assessment materials for Puzzle Range Wind Farm will be accessible on the Department of Transport and Planning EES Portal, here.
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Tetris Energy will undertake comprehensive technical, environmental, and social studies which, together with further community consultation, will shape the development of Puzzle Range Wind Farm. This includes continuing our engagement with Murrindindi and Mansfield Shire communities to understand ways that the area can benefit from the project, such as a key gap in infrastructure or suggestions for local initiatives, such as development of a benefit sharing program to support the local community and provide a long-lasting legacy in the area.
The Murrindindi Shire’s desire to be part of the global transition away from fossil fuels has resulted in it signing up to the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO), locking in 100% renewable energy for council operations for the next 10 years. The Mansfield Shire’s Renewable Energy Mansfield (REM) group was formed to provide affordable and sustainable energy sector options, as well as to advocate for climate change action.
Investment in the Murrindindi and Mansfield Shire Council regions will assist:
provide renewable energy supply for local battery energy storage projects.
utilise the regions existing transmission assets.
employment – both direct (technicians, electricians etc) and indirect (concrete, services etc).
energy reliability and security for the region.
broader community-led funding initiatives.
Register your interest as a local supplier via the contact form below.
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Puzzle Range Wind Farm would have the potential to supply clean energy to around 195,000 Victorian homes and avoid 475,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
The Australian energy landscape is transitioning to a greater mix of low-emission renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. Factors driving this transition include:
- Demand for more reliable energy supply.- Consumer demand for lower energy bills.
- State and federal government commitments to reduce carbon emissions.
- Scheduled closure of fossil-fuel generation sources such as coal.
The Australian Energy Market Operator has identified that storage capacity needs to triple within the National Energy Market to meet electricity demands, while the Renewable Energy (Jobs and Investment) Act 2017 (Vic) forecasts at least 2.6 GW by 2030 and 6.3 GW by 2035 of additional energy storage is needed to maintain system security and reliability.
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Once completed, Puzzle Range Wind Farm is expected to operate for up to 35 years. As a signatory to the Clean Energy Council’s Best Practice Charter, Tetris Energy is committed to working respectfully with wind farm communities, during wind farm development, construction, operation, and end of life decommissioning and takes community concerns regarding decommissioning seriously.
Decommissioning means that the wind turbines, site office and any other ancillary infrastructure is removed from the site, and roads and foundation pads are covered and revegetated, allowing land to be returned to its former use. Typically, landowner contracts and Development Applications contain definite clauses setting out the expectations around rehabilitating the site.
Read more on the Clean Energy Council’s Decommissioning guidelines here.
Location
Using its renewable energy technical expertise and project development experience, Tetris Energy has identified the Puzzle Range location based on its strong wind resource and proximity to existing Ausnet transmission lines.
The proposed Puzzle Range site is located on farmland predominately used for cattle and sheep grazing, southwest of Mansfield and north of Alexandra in the Murrindindi and Mansfield Shires. Tetris Energy acknowledges the Taungurung and Wurundjeri people as the Traditional Owners of the lands and waterways in the areas now known as Mansfield and Murrinidindi Shires.
Developing the high-quality wind generation project at the site would assist to diversify the local economy and generate significant investment in the broader region in a way that is compatible with existing agricultural activities.
The northeast region of Victoria has a different wind pattern to the western part of Victoria where the bulk of the Victorian wind farms are located. Having new generation projects located in different wind resource zones is desirable from an energy diversification perspective and is favourable for matching to the energy demand load of consumers.
Puzzle Range’s wind generation has what is regarded as an ‘attractive’ daily profile. This is important as the energy generated from the wind farm at either end of the day matches with peak energy demand times across the energy grid.
The Puzzle Range Wind Farm will be complimented by co-located battery storage to maximise the energy generated and captured from the site. A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) stores excess electricity when the wind is blowing and then dispatches to the electricity grid when demand it at its peak.
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Jobs
Up to 150 jobs during construction.
Local procurement focus.
10-12 ongoing roles once operational.
Register your interest via the form below.
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Technology
Modern wind turbines have capacity of 6-7 megawatts (MW) each.
Battery design may consist of containerised battery compound or smaller battery packs.
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Grid Connection
Puzzle Range connection process is underway with Ausnet, Parks Victoria and other key stakeholders.
There are potential options to connect depending on the final size (capacity) of the project, including utilising existing road reserve easements to install new power lines without the need for additional impact on landholders.
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Capacity
300 - 350 MW wind generation
30 - 50 MW battery energy storage system
Planning Process
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Request a one-on-one meeting or call.
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Register your interest as a project supplier.
If you have questions, feedback or would like to register for future updates, please complete this online form.