Origin Energy exits Skye Ridge wind farm project due to rising costs

Origin Energy has announced its immediate withdrawal from the Skye Ridge Wind Farm development project near Walcha. The company cited a “significant increase in the cost of building new wind generation” as the primary reason for the decision, noting that rising expenses make it difficult to justify progressing two projects in the same region simultaneously.

Origin plans to redirect its capital and development resources within the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) toward the Northern Tablelands Wind Farm, located northwest of Armidale. The company stated that the Northern Tablelands project offers the “strongest prospect of timely delivery.”

The Skye Ridge project, previously known as the Ruby Hills Wind Farm, was acquired by Origin in February 2024 and had a projected maximum output of up to 870MW. The cancellation has been welcomed by some local residents who had opposed the scale of the development.