Project overview

The Yandin Wind Farm, was officially opened by WA Energy Minister, the Honourable Bill Johnston, on 19 May 2021 and is now powering businesses across the state with affordable, clean energy.

Located in the wheatbelt town of Dandaragan, 175 kilometres north of Perth, Yandin, a RATCH-Australia and Alinta Energy investment, managed by Alinta Energy, is expected to produce more renewable energy than any other wind farm in WA, using 51 4.2MW turbines supplied by global manufacturer Vestas.

Dandaragan lays claim to some of the strongest and most consistent winds in the country. With a capacity factor of around 50 per cent, Yandin will power the equivalent of approximately 200,000 households across Western Australia each year.

The wind farm connects to Western Power’s 330 kV electricity South West Interconnected System network via a new 10 kilometre transmission line and terminal station - built, owned, and operated by Western Power.

The project has already boosted the local economy with more than 150 jobs created during the construction phase of the project and 19 local businesses engaged. In addition, around a dozen operational staff will be based in Dandaragan in the long-term.

Yandin Wind Farm has also committed to fund at least $51,000 each year for local community initiatives, to make a positive difference within the Shire of Dandaragan over the next two decades.

A contribution of $260,000 has already been made toward local community projects via the community fund, ranging from sporting equipment and playground upgrades to community building repair works and lighting and sound equipment for the repertory club.

Key Facts

• Site works on Yandin commenced in July 2019, with more than 50,000 tonnes of turbines and machinery estimated to have been transported to site during construction.

• The project required close to 1 million hours of labour, generating around 150 local jobs over the course of the build.

• The turbines are among the biggest ever installed in Australia. At their highest point, the tip blades reach 180m into the air, and the rotor diameter is 150m.

• Wind recordings in 2017 showed consistent wind speed of about 30 kilometres an hour – from two directions – easterly overnight, and south west in the afternoon/evening

• The energy produced by the wind farm connects to Western Australia’s high voltage transmission network via a new 10 km transmission line and terminal station built, owned and operated by Western Power. From there, it is distributed to homes and businesses to be used wherever it is required.

• Despite their size, the turbines only occupy around 0.03 per cent of the project site, meaning farming and existing land uses can co-exist. Alinta Energy has entered into lease agreements with the landowners which allow the farmers to continue their normal activities, whether grazing or cropping.