22 | Mid-Western Living | WINTER 2026 Just outside Wellington, work is well underway on one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the region - Uunugula Wind Farm. Located around 14 kilometres east of town on Wiradjuri Country, Uunugula Wind Farm is currently under construction and, once completed, will be the largest operating wind farm in New South Wales. With 69 turbines producing enough clean energy to power more than 220,000 homes, the project is also creating employment and training opportunities for people across Central West-Orana. From the beginning, the focus has been on making sure the benefits of the project extend well beyond renewable energy generation - and into local jobs, skills and longterm careers. Local jobs during construction and beyond Construction of Uunugula Wind Farm is supporting hundreds of jobs across a wide range of roles, including civil works, electrical and mechanical trades, transport, logistics, site services and administration. Local contractors and workers are being prioritised wherever possible, keeping wages and experience in the community. As construction continues, the workforce is shifting to new phases of activity, with turbine components now arriving on site and installation ramping up. Locals can follow progress - and understand what’s coming next - through regular construction updates shared online and with the community. Importantly, employment doesn’t stop once construction is finished. When operational, the wind farm will support long-term roles including wind turbine technicians, maintenance crews and site support staff. These are skilled, stable jobs that allow people to build careers without needing to leave the region. Kacee Milnes lives in the Mudgee region and is Site Operations Manager at Crudine Ridge Wind Farm. Milnes says the combination of her trade and a rewarding growth industry is a winner. She encourages young people with an interest in renewables to explore the opportunities available. “Working in renewable energy has been the absolute highlight of my working career.” POWERING COMMUNITIES What Uunugula Wind Farm means for the region Deliveries from the Port of Newcastle are travelling via the Golden Highway, Saxa Road, continuing via the Mitchell Highway/Goolma Road intersection and Twelve Mile Road to the project site. First concrete pour at Uunugula Wind Farm in October 2025
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