Coopers Gap Wind Farm Explained

Coopers Gap Wind Farm
Coordinates:-26.743°N 151.45°W
Country:Australia
Location:Bilboa and Cooranga North, Queensland
Status:Commissioned
Cost:A$850 million
Owner:Powering Australian Renewables Fund
Operator:AGL Energy
Employees:20
Ps Units Operational:91 × 3.63 MW
32 × 3.83 MW
Ps Units Manu Model:General Electric 3.6-137
General Electric 3.8-130
Wind Hub Height:110m (360feet) GE 3.6-137
115m (377feet) GE 3.8-130
Wind Rotor Diameter:130m (430feet)
137m (449feet)
Wind Farm Type:Onshore
Ps Site Elevation:535mto840mm (1,755feetto2,760feetm)
Ps Site Area:10200ha
Ps Electrical Capacity:453 MW
Ps Electrical Cap Fac:33.96% (average July 2021-June 2024)
Ps Annual Generation:1.35 TWh (average July 2021-June 2024)
Website:https://www.agl.com.au/about-agl/how-we-source-energy/coopers-gap-wind-farm

Coopers Gap Wind Farm is a 453 megawatt wind farm in the Western Downs and South Burnett regions of Queensland, Australia.[1] It is located approximately 175 km north-west of the state capital Brisbane, and 50 kilometres south-west of Kingaroy and 65 kilometers north of Dalby.[2] When construction was announced to be completed on 30 April 2020, it became the largest wind farm in Australia.[3] [4] [5] This record was held until 10 December 2020 when the Stockyard Hill Wind Farm in Victoria was completed.[6] [7]

Site

The wind farm is located in a hilly area, approximately 5 km to the north-west of the Bunya Mountains. It is located approximately 175km (109miles) north-west of the state capital Brisbane, and 50km (30miles) south-west of Kingaroy and 65km (40miles) north of Dalby.

The area is mostly cleared, cattle-grazing country and was originally planned to cover approximately 12000ha in total,[8] however the site area was reduced later in the development process to 10200ha.[9] The site has an elevation of 535 to 840m.[10] The project falls within both the South Burnett Regional Council and Western Downs Regional Council jurisdictions.[11]

History

The side was identified by Windlab using their proprietary WindScape wind mapping technology in late 2005, and a 60-metre wind-monitoring mast was installed in March 2006 in order to accurately measure wind speed and direction in the area.[12] After twelve months of data capture, the proponents began securing land and pre-feasibility studies started.

In 2009, development approval was expected in the same year.

In April 2011, some local landholders expressed concerns at a community forum related to health effects and the noise of the wind turbines, some of which would be less than a kilometre from homes.[13]

In March 2017, the project was approved by the Coordinator-General. The approved project consisted of up to 115 turbines, with a maximum tip height of 180m, and a maximum rotor diameter of 140m.[14]

The first turbine generated electricity to the grid on 24 June 2019.[15]

In June 2021, it was reported that GE Catcon had successfully demolished a faulty turbine tower on 27 May 2021 after faults were discovered during the commissioning process. Additionally, a further 50 turbines required component replacement after generator issues inside their nacelles were identified.[16] [17]

Project

For a period of time, Coopers Gap was the largest wind farm in Australia. With a total generation capacity of up to 453MW, annually is expected to generate 1.51 million megawatt hours of energy, with a corresponding capacity factor of 38%. The wind farm consists of 123 turbines extending across a series of ridge lines within the site. The wind turbines are approximately 180m (590feet) in height from the tower base to the tip of the blade.[18] [19] 91 of the turbines are rated at 3.6 MW with towers 110m (360feet) high,[20] with the blades approximately NaN67.2 in length and a corresponding rotor diameter of 137m (449feet). There are also 32 turbines rated at 3.8 MW with a rotor diameter of 130m (430feet), but at a taller hub height of 115m (377feet). The construction costs of the project were initially to be over $1.2 billion, however construction costs reduced from the start of the development process, so the final cost was A$850 million.

The electricity generated from each turbine is transmitted via underground or above ground cabling to a central cable marshalling point at the on site substation, which is located along the 275 kV power line that runs through the site area. The substation then connects directly into the grid network on site. It is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 2.2 million tonnes yearly.[8]

Operations

The wind farm registered its first grid output in June 2019 and was fully commissioned in June 2021. It was planned to be commissioned late in 2020.[21] On 19 June 2021, the wind farm reached an output of 438.2 MW, or 99.59% of its maximum registered output of 440 MW.[22] [23] [24]

Coopers Gap Wind Farm Generation (MWh) [25] !Year!Total!Jan!Feb!Mar!Apr!May!Jun!Jul!Aug!Sep!Oct!Nov!Dec
2019141,617N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A413*3,134*9,398*21,843*28,984*38,725*39,120*
2020991,13826,473*30,890*57,377*48,224*95,248*87,140*109,069*98,270*117,767*119,562*88,951*112,167*
20211,285,449113,633*[26] 81,015*[27] 103,283*[28] 89,943*[29] 100,389*[30] 116,245[31] 142,096[32] 114,138[33] 112,042[34] 104,336[35] 123,356[36] 84,973[37]
20221,387,927119,201117,84294,755113,563124,605101,656128,484113,009101,010128,918127,131117,753
20231,334,204121,320125,01494,315114,770128,739113,575111,005109,167115,10073,880128,08199,238
2024119,51990,740145,793100,849110,24772,161
Note: Asterisk indicates power output was limited during the month.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Coopers Gap Wind Farm. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328204146/https://www.agl.com.au/about-agl/how-we-source-energy/coopers-gap-wind-farm. 28 March 2019. 20 July 2019.
  2. Web site: Coopers Gap Wind Farm State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning. 2021-10-15. www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au. 22 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210322150330/https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/coordinator-general/assessments-and-approvals/coordinated-projects/completed-projects/coopers-gap-wind-farm. live.
  3. Web site: 30 April 2020. Last wind turbine completed at Coopers Gap Wind Farm. live. 22 August 2021. AGL. 21 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210821234609/https://www.agl.com.au/about-agl/media-centre/asx-and-media-releases/2020/april/last-wind-turbine-completed-at-coopers-gap-wind-farm.
  4. Web site: Vorrath. Sophie. 2020-04-30. Final turbine installed at Australia's largest wind farm. 2021-08-21. RenewEconomy. en-AU. 21 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210821220933/https://reneweconomy.com.au/final-turbine-installed-at-australias-largest-wind-farm-55016/. live.
  5. Web site: GE and AGL develop Australia's largest wind farm in Coopers Gap, Queensland GE News. 2021-08-21. www.ge.com. en. 21 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210821220921/https://www.ge.com/news/press-releases/ge-and-agl-develop-australias-largest-wind-farm-coopers-gap-queensland. live.
  6. Web site: - Media Releases. 2021-08-21. Stockyard Hill Wind Farm. en-US. 21 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210821220924/https://www.stockyardhillwindfarm.com.au/media-release. live.
  7. Web site: February 2021. STOCKYARD HILL WIND FARM COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER. live. 22 August 2021. 21 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210821220921/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/594b52ed37c581fa1843961b/t/60246e46f1cf4340efe75fff/1613000264497/SHWF+Community+Newsletter+February+2021.pdf.
  8. Web site: 500 megawatt wind farm proposed for Queensland . 7 August 2008 . Energy Matters . 9 April 2011 . 31 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110331120119/http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=144 . live .
  9. Web site: March 2017. Coopers Gap Wind Farm: Coordinator-General's evaluation report on the environmental impact statement. 28 October 2020. 31 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201031071211/http://eisdocs.dsdip.qld.gov.au/Coopers%20Gap%20Wind%20Farm/CGER/Coopers%20Gap%20Wind%20Farm%20evaluation%20report%20-%20FINAL.pdf. live.
  10. Web site: ASSESSMENT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE ISSUES FOR THE COOPERS GAP WIND FARM. 28 October 2020. 31 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201031190109/http://eisdocs.dsdip.qld.gov.au/Coopers%20Gap%20Wind%20Farm/Final%20EIS/Final%20EIS%20-%20Appendices/appendix-l-assessment-of-electromagnetic-interference-issues-for-the-coopers-gap-wind-farm.pdf. live.
  11. News: Wind farm to power 320,000 homes . Petrina Berry . 29 August 2010 . 14 August 2008 . . Fairfax Media . 4 September 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080904035835/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/wind-farm-to-power-320000-homes/2008/08/14/1218307090409.html . live .
  12. http://www.windlabsystems.com/node/11 Coopers Gap Wind Farm
  13. News: 3 April 2011. Graziers split over proposed location of wind turbines near Kingaroy. The Sunday Mail. Queensland Newspapers. 9 April 2011.
  14. Web site: Initial Advice Statement - Coopers Gap Wind Farm. live. 15 October 2021. 26 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210326213520/https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/33664/coopers-gap-wind-farm-ias.pdf.
  15. Web site: 3 September 2019. Community Newsletter. 4 October 2019. Coopers Gap Wind Farm Project. AGL Energy.
  16. Web site: 2021-06-03. Explosives Bring Down Faulty Tower. 2021-09-04. southburnett.com.au. en-AU. 4 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210904022113/https://southburnett.com.au/news2/2021/06/03/explosives-bring-down-faulty-tower/. live.
  17. Web site: 2020-11-09. Faults To Be Fixed At Wind Farm. 2021-09-04. southburnett.com.au. en-AU. 4 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210904022113/https://southburnett.com.au/news2/2020/11/09/faults-to-be-fixed-at-wind-farm/. live.
  18. http://www.southburnett.biz/pdfs/coopersgap.pdf Coopers Gap Wind Farm Information Brochure
  19. Web site: Giant Blades Power Coopers Gap Wind Farm. 24 June 2019. 20 July 2019. 20 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190720021408/https://www.agl.com.au/about-agl/media-centre/asx-and-media-releases/2019/june/giant-blades-power-coopers-gap-wind-farm. live.
  20. Web site: The largest wind turbine blades ever transported in Australia begin their journey. 2021-10-14. www.agl.com.au. 13 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210413202617/https://www.agl.com.au/about-agl/media-centre/asx-and-media-releases/2018/september/the-largest-wind-turbine-blades-ever-transported-in-australia-begin-their-journey. live.
  21. Web site: 2020-04-30. Let it blow: Darling Downs becomes wind farm capital of Australia. 2020-10-29. InQueensland. en. 12 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210812035108/https://inqld.com.au/politics/2020/05/01/sport-aggressive-testing-top-agenda-as-national-cabinet-plans-road-back/. live.
  22. Web site: SCADAVALUE:DISPATCH (COOPGWF1: 453 MW of Wind in QLD1). NEMLOG.
  23. Web site: SCADAVALUE:DISPATCH (COOPGWF1: 453 MW of Wind in QLD1). NEMLOG.
  24. Web site: 10 August 2021. NEM Registration and Exemption List. live. Australian Energy Market Operator. 20 August 2021. 20 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210820010842/https://aemo.com.au/-/media/files/electricity/nem/participant_information/nem-registration-and-exemption-list.xls?la=en.
  25. Web site: eljmkt nemlog - Coopers Gap Wind Farm (COOPGWF1) . 12 August 2021 . 12 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210812035120/http://nemlog.com.au/nem/unit/COOPGWF1 . live .
  26. Web site: Eldridge. Geoff. SCADAVALUE:DISPATCH (COOPGWF1: 453 MW of Wind in QLD1). 3 September 2021. NEMLog.
  27. Web site: Eldridge. Geoff. SCADAVALUE:DISPATCH (COOPGWF1: 453 MW of Wind in QLD1). 3 September 2021. NEMLog.
  28. Web site: Eldridge. Geoff. SCADAVALUE:DISPATCH (COOPGWF1: 453 MW of Wind in QLD1). 3 September 2021. NEMLog.
  29. Web site: Eldridge. Geoff. SCADAVALUE:DISPATCH (COOPGWF1: 453 MW of Wind in QLD1). 3 September 2021. NEMLog.
  30. Web site: Eldridge. Geoff. SCADAVALUE:DISPATCH (COOPGWF1: 453 MW of Wind in QLD1). 3 September 2021. NEMLog.
  31. Web site: Eldridge. Geoff. SCADAVALUE:DISPATCH (COOPGWF1: 453 MW of Wind in QLD1). 3 September 2021. NEMLog.
  32. Web site: Eldridge. Geoff. SCADAVALUE:DISPATCH (COOPGWF1: 453 MW of Wind in QLD1). live. 3 September 2021. NEMLog. https://web.archive.org/web/20211018005207/http://nemlog.com.au/show/unit/20210701/20210731/?k1=COOPGWF1 . 18 October 2021 .
  33. Web site: Eldridge. Geoff. SCADAVALUE:DISPATCH (COOPGWF1: 453 MW of Wind in QLD1). live. 6 October 2021. NEMLog. 18 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211018005150/http://nemlog.com.au/show/unit/20210801/20210831/?k1=COOPGWF1.
  34. Web site: COOPGWF1.. : NEM Unit Output (MW). 2021-10-18. nemlog.com.au.
  35. Web site: COOPGWF1.. : NEM Unit Output (MW). 2021-11-01. nemlog.com.au.
  36. Web site: COOPGWF1.. : NEM Unit Output (MW). 2021-12-26. nemlog.com.au.
  37. Web site: COOPGWF1.. : NEM Unit Output (MW). 2022-01-10. nemlog.com.au.

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