Year in review – 2025
As we look back on 2025, we are proud of the progress and milestones we have achieved this year.
1 December 2025
Our projects
Planning
Local Government Area
As we look back on 2025, we are proud of the progress and milestones we have achieved this year.
Community programs and initiatives backed by Squadron Energy have been featured in the Best Practice Charter Report, highlighting the company’s commitment to community engagement and sustainability. Key initiatives include funding Disaster Relief Australia’s Big Map for emergency planning, delivering a First Nations training program in Wellington, leading research on bat collision risks at wind farms, and partnering with Dubbo Regional Council on an advanced wastewater treatment facility.
We are pleased to introduce the proposed Illawarra Firming Power Station (IFPS), a new firming gas-powered facility, located in Unanderra, an industrial zone seven kilometres south of the Wollongong CBD.
Thanks to support from Squadron Energy, Australia’s leading renewable energy company, Look Good Feel Better will be able to support 100 individuals undergoing cancer treatment in the Port Kembla community over the next 12 months.
It has been a busy year for Squadron Energy. Read about our progress this year in our Year in review.
Squadron Energy CEO Rob Wheals said: “The 2024 Integrated System Plan (ISP) reaffirms the comprehensive planning and implementation done to date on
As we continue on our mission to lead Australia’s clean energy transition, we look back on some of our key
Australia’s electricity needs and decarbonisation targets are best met by variable renewable generation backed up by batteries, hydro and responsive
Step 1
Project identification and site selection
Identification and site selection is based on an analysis of opportunities and constraints including (but not limited to): distance to the electricity grid, wind resource and population density of the surrounding community. Our team then undertake a number of site visits and consultation with landowners in the area.
Project identification and site selection
Step 2
Project feasibility and community engagement
Site-specific investigations are undertaken to assess the impacts and opportunities of the project and feedback is sought from the local community.
Project feasibility and community engagement
Step 3
Development Application and Environmental Impact Statement
A Development Application is made and an EIS prepared which involves a wide range of studies to address stakeholder feedback received to date and to consider the potential environmental and social impacts of the project.
Development Application and Environmental Impact Statement
Step 4
Public exhibition and Submissions Report
The EIS is placed on public exhibition through the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. Interested members of the public are invited to have their say during the exhibition period by way of formal submissions. A Submissions Report is then prepared, which aims to respond to the submissions received.
Public exhibition and Submissions Report
Step 5
Assessment and development consent
The project documents are assessed by the relevant government authorities. If determined, Development Consent is granted alongside a range of conditions specific to the project.
Assessment and development consent
Step 6
Post approval, contracting and financing
A lead contractor(s) to build the project is appointed and all pre-construction approvals and consents are finalised. During this phase, the lead contractor(s) is provided with a list of local businesses that have registered their interest and capabilities through the project website.
Post approval, contracting and financing
Step 7
Procurement
During this phase our lead contractor(s) seek tenders and engage contractors and suppliers to undertake the scope of the works. Orders are then placed for major components such as the wind turbines.
Procurement
Step 8
Early works and design
Initial site activities commence, such as minor clearing and provision of access roads along with establishing a site construction compound. Off-site detailed design works commences in parallel.
Early works and design
Step 9
Major civil works
During this phase of the construction the bulk of the civil works takes place. This includes the construction of new internal access roads, excavation and construction of the turbine foundations, installation of the internal electrical reticulation system, construction of the high voltage substation and main transmission line network.
Major civil works
Step 10
Wind turbine erection
This is where the visual aspect of the wind farm starts to emerge, with large cranes lifting the tower sections, nacelle, hub and blades into place.
Wind turbine erection
Step 11
Commissioning
In order to export power to the grid, each turbine is required to undergo several performance tests. It is during this stage that you will start to see turbines spinning and ultimately the whole of the wind farm complete.
Commissioning
Step 12
Operations
The project is operating in accordance with relevant approval conditions and management plans. Compliance with conditions of approval and management plans is monitored as required throughout the life of the project.
Operations
Step 13
Decommissioning
The design life of the wind turbines will be at least 30 years. At the end of their useful life, the wind turbines and electrical equipment will be either replaced and the wind farm repowered, or the project will be decommissioned, and the site returned to its original use at the expense of the project.
Decommissioning
‘Firming’ means backing up variable energy by storing it for later use, such as large scale batteries or pumped hydro, in addition to gas peaking plants for longer term generation.
Australia’s ageing coal-fired power stations are reaching the end of their life. To deliver reliable, affordable and clean energy to Australian businesses and homes, we’re building wind and solar farms, backed by firming.
Illawarra Firming Power Station is designed to provide electricity when renewable energy sources like wind and solar are not meeting demand and will include large gas turbines housed in protective enclosures, with exhaust stacks and supporting equipment, along with roads, storage tanks, and other site infrastructure.
Projects such as our Dubbo and Illawarra Power Stations, together with batteries and pumped hydro, will provide backup and storage to deliver Australia’s energy future.
Illawarra Firming Power Station will be located in the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The Illawarra region hosts major energy, port and transport infrastructure and an existing skilled workforce, making it an ideal area for a REZ.
For more information on the Illawarra REZ, visit: https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/ilw-rez
We share the benefits of our projects by supporting communities over the long term. We do this through a range of opportunities such as community benefits funds, voluntary planning agreements, community sponsorship and grant initiatives.
We recognise that each community is different, and we aim to tailor benefits at each project and make positive lasting contribution to each region.
Each of our projects has a community sponsorship program, which provides funds or in-kind support to community organisations and events in the local project area.
Key areas for the program include:
• Education and training initiatives
• Community development programs
• Health and wellbeing
• Environmental initiatives
Applications are open for community sponsorship. Please contact us using the details below for more information about Illawarra Firming Power Station community sponsorship opportunities. Download and complete the Community Sponsorship Application and forward with any relevant documentation to info@squadronenergy.com.
Alternatively, you can complete and submit the form online via the link below.
September 2025 - Project Update
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