Winterbourne Wind is bogged down in the planning process, having first submitted its scoping report in September 2020. The EIS that followed was described by the then New England State member as “the worst EIS” he had ever seen. Since that time, the project has stumbled through the planning process, trying to rectify a number of deficiencies and shortfalls in information and design.
It is still clogging the system, with numerous government agencies waiting on solutions to significant problems that have been raised with the project.
Despite these issues, the project may well survive and receive a determination in it’s favour. If this occurs, the project then faces its next and more serious hurdle – who wants to built it?
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, who purchased the Winterbourne Wind project in June 2019. However, in mid 2025, CIP walked away from Winterbourne Wind, having reversed their earlier transaction. They see no future in the project and have withdrawn their support. If CIP (who are part owned by Vestas) do not see a future in the project that is owned by Vestas, and using Vestas turbines, then that Is a pretty strong and visible signal of no confidence in their former business partner, and their former proejct.
We don’t see much hope of Winterbourne Wind project being built, whether it is approved or not.
LATEST NEWS
Feb 26 > NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, requested the Independent Planning Commission to conduct a public hearing into the carrying out of the Winterbourne Wind Project prior to determining the development application for the project .. see history snapshot (below) for more information
