• One of key objects of the Association is “encouraging renewable and energy efficient energy facilities to set up in the Augusta Margaret River shire by undertaking feasibility studies for operating renewable energy facilities including an anaerobic digester to produce energy and other co-products from dairy waste”.

Over the next six years, AMRCCE worked hard on this task of undertaking high level feasibility studies starting with a 20% renewable power target, as per 2009 MRET legislation and referred to in the Shire’s LEAP. Initially a 10MW wind/solar/biodigester farm was considered as per the attached “Theory of Change to achieve a Sustainable Community”. However, a solar project was not viable, while a wind project was.

Discussions with Western Power raised the option of seeking approval to feed wind energy into the grid or South West Interconnected System (SWIS), via the largely unused capacity of the power line provided for the failed Beenup sand mine. This would avoid additional cost and difficulties of access associated with building new transmission lines. Possible sites were evaluated in detail using numerous key criteria and many well-advertised community information meetings and sessions were held.

After settling on Scott River near the Beenup substation as the location for the windfarm, AMRCCE entered into access agreements with local farmers and initiated the lengthy Western Power application process. Wind monitoring at the site for over a year was completed. Wind data from the monitoring, along with 8 years of wind data from a nearby property was analysed and confirmed potential financial viability. The data also showed that the timing of the wind energy would correspond to higher demand times increasing profitability. 

A changing regulatory environment, including access to the SWIS grid introduced by the WA Government, together with the shifting renewables energy sector in Australia and the world, resulted significant delays and reworks of our studies to ensure they remained relevant. In 2019/20, the Shire reset their goals from the 2015 LEAP to a new Climate Action Plan, updating targets to net zero emission by 2030 for community and the organisation [the Shire]. Meanwhile the first wind turbine manufacturer AMRCCE consulted with (e.g. for 3×3.3MW) withdrew from Australia. Subsequent investigations included an alternative manufacturer (e.g. 5x2MW), but the shift in renewables framework led to a move away from smaller sized turbines and toward larger projects. This was combined with increased emission reduction targets, a changed process to apply for SWIS connection and advice from our engineering consultants. As a result, in 2021/22, AMRCCE worked on a SWIS connection application for 22.5MW (5×4.5MW) based on data from a third wind turbine manufacturer. This 22.5MW wind farm connection application was approved by Western Power in late 2022.

Meanwhile, AMR Clean Community Energy also supported our purpose through various other projects, including a dairy effluent biogas project in the Scott River. This project investigated the viability of a biodigester in the power project and as an innovative option to manage dairy effluent in the Scott and Blackwood River catchments. However, it was determined that a biodigester to support a combined power plant with wind farm at this location was not viable.

In summary a windfarm in this location is advantageous as:

• It would use existing facilities including substation, transmission lines and access roads that are largely under-utilised due to the failed Beenup sand mine

• It would be located on existing farmland, minimising environmental impact and benefiting associated farmers
• The wind monitoring and modelling supports this location, especially with the timing of wind energy in later afternoon and evening

• It would support a move to cleaner, greener energy production with associated reduction in emissions, crucial for mitigating the impact of climate change.

Throughout this period, AMRCCE received operational and project specific grants, from Shire of AMR and other parties, including the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, all of which have been successfully acquitted or re-imbursed. The windfarm studies entailed expenses for non pro-bono work, such as wind measurement and analysis, Western Power fees and legal advice. However, community members both donated financially and provided many hours of professional pro-bono work.  During this period, an estimated value of over $1,000,000 of pro-bono or volunteer work by the community including industry experts was provided in supporting our projects.  AMR Clean Community Energy is very grateful to all these generous community members.

In 2023, Synergy recognised AMRCCE’s work on the wind farm high-level feasibility studies and we entered into an agreement that gives a wind farm at Scott River the best chance of coming to fruition.  AMRCCE has previously described its role as to conduct a feasibility study, with a goal to find a suitable partner to develop / operate the wind farm (given the significant cost and project expertise required) with a view to secure a “community shareholding” to fund ongoing projects to reduce community emissions. Synergy, owned by the WA Government, is such a partner. AMRCCE and Synergy are committed to a collaborative relationship during Synergy’s current feasibility studies. AMRCCE is very pleased to see that Synergy, as part of their feasibility studies, is proposing a community benefit fund of $100,000 per annum for the life of the proposed windfarm, as we consider addresses one of our key outcome areas. We look forward to Synergy lodging both development application and environmental approvals through the appropriate channels in the near future.

Meanwhile AMR Clean Community Energy continues to work on reducing overall carbon emissions in the Augusta Margaret River region focusing on households, transport and agriculture. Recently in collaboration with the MR R&W Festival we presented “Plug In! An Electrifying Afternoon with Saul Griffith” which also showcased a mini electrify everything expo, made possible through community support.