Spanish Giant Lobs Second Plantation Wind Project Into EPBC Queue Just a Week After the First

Why It Matters

The approvals could unlock over 400 MW of clean power in a region poised for rapid renewable expansion, while setting a precedent for using modified plantation forests for wind development. Success will also demonstrate how large developers can balance energy growth with biodiversity protection under Australia’s stringent EPBC framework.

Key Takeaways

• Iberdrola seeks EPBC approval for 21 turbines in Canobolas forest
• Combined capacity of Four Mile Creek and Mullion Creek totals 406 MW
• Project sites sit on softwood plantations slated for future harvest
• Threatened species, including superb parrot, identified within disturbance area
• Iberdrola has invested $2 billion in Australian renewables, now 2.4 GW

Pulse Analysis

Iberdrola’s rapid filing of two New South Wales wind projects marks a decisive step in expanding Australia’s renewable capacity. The Four Mile Creek scheme, slated for 158 MW, and the earlier‑submitted Mullion Creek project, 248 MW, together would add more than 400 MW of clean generation to the grid. By targeting softwood plantation forests—areas already cleared for timber— the developer sidesteps prime agricultural land and leverages existing infrastructure. The projects will feature 21 turbines with 250‑metre blade‑tip heights, connected via underground cabling to an on‑site substation, illustrating a modern, low‑impact design.

The environmental review under the federal EPBC Act highlights both opportunities and challenges. While the plantation setting is classified as ‘highly modified’, surveys have identified a federally listed white‑box‑yellow‑box grassy woodland and seven threatened fauna, including the superb parrot and large‑eared pied bat. These findings obligate Iberdrola to conduct detailed habitat assessments and implement mitigation measures such as offset planting and turbine curtailment during breeding seasons. The same corridor also hosts eight mining or exploration licences, underscoring the need for coordinated land‑use planning to balance energy, biodiversity, and resource extraction.

Strategically, the filings reinforce Iberdrola’s $2 billion commitment to Australian renewables, expanding its portfolio to 2.4 GW across wind, solar, battery and gas assets. By securing early EPBC clearance, the company can lock in construction timelines and capitalize on New South Wales’ renewable‑energy targets, which aim for 12 GW of new capacity by 2030. Successful approval could also set a precedent for future plantation‑based wind projects, offering a replicable model that mitigates land‑use conflicts while delivering sizable generation. Investors will watch the outcome closely as it may influence broader market confidence in large‑scale green infrastructure.