🌿 Renewable Energy in the Shire of Narrogin

Narrogin – Love the Life, Power the Future

Supporting a Clean Energy Future for Western Australia

The Shire of Narrogin is proud to be at the forefront of regional Western Australia’s transition to renewable energy. Situated in the heart of the Wheatbelt’s energy corridor, our region is rapidly emerging as a key hub for clean energy investment—aligning with the State Government’s plan to phase out coal-fired power by 2030 and supporting both State and Federal Net Zero 2050 targets and the broader move to decarbonise and electrify everything.

We are working in partnership with industry, landowners, neighbouring local governments, and State and Commonwealth agencies to ensure renewable energy development delivers long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits for our community.

Narrogin is at the epicentre of a major shift in Western Australia’s energy landscape. The wave of large-scale renewable energy proposals in and around our region signals not only a defining moment for our community but a critical chapter in the State’s clean energy transition. These projects carry enormous potential—not just technologically and economically, but symbolically. But success requires more than infrastructure; it requires people, place, and purpose.

The State Government now has a unique opportunity to lead a just energy transition—one that respects and invests in host communities, leaves a lasting legacy in regional WA, and brings Wheatbelt residents into the transformation not as bystanders, but as key participants.

Through the Shire’s Community Enhancements Fund, guided by our vision of “Narrogin, Love the Life – Power the Future,” we are demonstrating what’s possible when local government, developers, and community work together. With State backing and a coordinated, holistic community impact assessment approach, this model can pave the way for resilient, community-led renewable energy integration across Western Australia.

🧭 Our Position on Renewables

The Shire has adopted a clear and proactive stance on renewable energy development:

• 📄 Advocacy Request to Premier on Renewable Energy
  Outlines strategic objectives and guiding principles for renewable energy development in our district.
• 📄 Advocacy Statement: Renewable Industry Framework and Guidelines for Western Australian Local Governments
  Supports engagement with State and Federal government on policy and funding, advocating for local outcomes.

🛠 Planning for a Sustainable Energy Future

Resources for Proponents, Landowners & Communities

To support well-planned, responsible development, the Shire has established a robust planning framework. Key resources include:

• 📘 Adopted Local Planning Policy – Wind Energy Facilities
  Guidance on siting, consultation, and environmental considerations for wind energy projects.
• 🏘 Draft Local Planning Policy – Transit Workers Accommodation
  Sets expectations for temporary or transit workforce accommodation to reduce community disruption and to provide legacy housing solutions, such as transitioning into permanent workforce or lifestyle villages.
• 💰Adopted Council Policy 3.16 Narrogin – Love the Life, Power the Future – Community Enhancements Fund (CEF)
  Aims to secure long-term benefits from renewable projects for local services, infrastructure, and projects.
• 📝 Information Sheet – Landowner Negotiations 
  Helps landholders navigate agreements with proponents and access independent advice.

• Free independent assessment of farmland viability for renewable energy projects.
  *Please note that the Shire of Narrogin does not necessarily endorse RELA Assess, and landowners should make their own due diligence enquires including utilising trusted local legal advice.

💵 Rates, Revenue and Equity

The Shire is committed to equitable rating practices that ensure renewable projects contribute fairly to local infrastructure and service delivery:

• 📊 Council Policy 3.13 Rating Principles & Change in Predominant Use of Rural Land
  Ensures consistency and fairness across the district in how renewable projects are rated.

🔋 Current Renewable Energy Projects in the Region

The Narrogin district is home to several major renewable energy proposals, with projects spanning wind, solar, battery storage, and renewable fuels. These developments represent over $8 billion in proposed investment, with significant opportunities for local contractors and employment.

1. Narrogin East Wind, Solar & BESS Project – Est. $800M

• • Status: To be lodged SDAU, approx. May 2025
  • Capacity: ~250MW wind, ~150MW solar, ~200MW BESS
  • Location: ~10km East of Narrogin between Williams Kondinin Road and Yilliminning Road
  • Developer: Lightsource BP
  • Construction: ~450 workers, ~18 months from Feb 2026
  • Permanent Jobs: ~8
  • Solar Projects | Renewable Energy Projects | Lightsource bp

2. Narrogin Solar Farm & BESS – Est. $400M

• • Status: Lodged - JDAP Meeting May 2025
  • Capacity: 200MWDC solar + 200MW, 4hr BESS
  • Location: Narrogin 3km South of Narrogin bounded by Wanerie Road and Great Southern Highway.
  • Developer: ACE Power
  • Co-use: Sheep grazing maintained
  • Construction: ~150 workers, ~18 months from Feb 2026
  • Permanent Jobs: ~5
  • Narrogin Solar Farm & BESS | ACE Power

3. Narrogin BESS Project – Est. $400M

• • Status: Lodged - JDAP Meeting May 2025
  • Capacity: 200MW, 4hr BESS
  • Function: Grid stability & renewable integration
  • Location: 3km South of Narrogin near the Narrogin South Substation and Narrogin Valley Road
  • Developer: South Energy
  • Construction: ~150 workers, ~18 months from Feb 2026
  • Permanent Jobs: ~5
  • Narrogin Battery Energy Storage System

4. Narrogin Biodiesel Plant – Est. $400M

• • Status: To be lodged SDAU, approx. May 2025
  • Product: ~19M litres of renewable diesel/year
  • Location: Narrogin 3km South of Narrogin bounded by Wanerie Road and Great Southern Highway
  • Developer: Narrogin Renewable Fuel One Pty Ltd
  • Construction: ~150 workers, ~18 months from Feb 2026
  • Permanent Jobs: ~30
  • Website: Coming Soon

5. Narrogin Wind Farm – Est. $500M

• • Status: Lodged SDAU February 2025
  • Capacity: 200MW
  • Location: Between Narrogin and Williams
  • Developer: NEOEN
  • Future Potential: Battery storage
  • Construction: ~200 workers, ~18 months from Feb 2026
  • Permanent Jobs: ~8
  • Narrogin Wind Farm - Cleaner Energy for WA

6. Bellwether Wind Farm – Est. $6B

• • Status: To be lodged SDAU, approx. May 2027
  • Capacity: ~400 turbines over 100,000 ha
  • Location: Wheatbelt region, involving dozens of landowners
  • Developer: ACCIONA Energia
  • Community Impact: Skills, retraining, local partnerships
  • Construction: ~750 workers, ~36 months from Feb 2028
  • Permanent Jobs: ~40
  • Bellwether Wind Farm | ACCIONA Energía Community

🌱 Local Benefits, Local Commitment

Maximising Opportunities for Local Business, Trades and Community

The Shire of Narrogin is committed to ensuring that the transition to renewable energy delivers meaningful, long-term benefits to our local community and economy.

All renewable energy proponents are expected to:

• Prioritise local procurement wherever possible, including the use of local contractors, tradespeople, suppliers, and service providers.
• Engage local businesses early, ensuring they are aware of upcoming work packages and can compete fairly for opportunities.
• Establish a dedicated website and contractor portal before construction commences, to clearly outline required services, registration processes, and contact points for local trades and suppliers.
• Provide transparent forward work schedules, enabling local businesses to plan and participate effectively.

To support this:

• The Shire actively advocates for the use of local goods and services and works with proponents to embed local procurement targets in their project planning and reporting.
• All proponents are expected to minimise impacts on local housing availability by avoiding the use of permanent residential housing stock for temporary construction workforce accommodation.
• Projects are encouraged to explore fit-for-purpose temporary workforce housing options, with the aim of transitioning these into permanent community assets where feasible.
• We encourage proponents to shop local and buy local by visiting the Narrogin Chamber of Commerce's Online Business Directory 

By setting clear expectations, the Shire ensures that renewable energy developments contribute to job creation, skills development, and economic growth in our region, without compromising local housing access or community wellbeing.

🤝 Together, we are creating not just energy—but opportunity.

🔄 Stay Informed

Project timelines and status updates will be shared as they become available.

📩 Contact our Planning Team
Email: enquiries@narrogin.wa.gov.au
Phone: (08) 9890 0900

🤝 Working Together for a Renewable Future

The Shire of Narrogin welcomes collaboration with:

• Local residents and landowners
• Businesses and contractors
• Renewable energy proponents and consultants
• PoweringWA and government agencies
• Other local governments seeking to establish best practice frameworks

Together, we’re building a stronger, cleaner, and more resilient future.