Hybrid Power for the New England Wind Farm Site Compound

At the New England Wind Farm near Uralla, NSW, a Makinex Renewables HPS45 Hybrid Power System replaced a traditional 40kVA diesel generator at the project's site compound, delivering reliable 24/7 site power while cutting fuel use, servicing disruptions and running costs.

Over seven months of operation, the HPS45 saved 25,388 litres of diesel and 51 tonnes of  CO₂ , all while keeping the site offices and facilities powered around the clock.

Here's how they did it.

The Challenge: Reliable Power for a Remote Site Compound

The New England Wind Farm project is located near Uralla on the Northern Tablelands of NSW, in the heart of the New England Renewable Energy Zone. While the wind farm is being built to supply clean energy to the grid, the construction team's site compound had no mains connection and needed its own reliable power supply.

The site offices and facilities were powered by a traditional 40kVA diesel generator running 24/7. It kept the compound powered, but it came with real operational costs:

• High fuel consumption. Running a generator around the clock, often well below its rated load, is rarely an efficient use of diesel.
• Regular refuelling. Keeping the tank full meant ongoing fuel deliveries and time spent managing supply.
• Frequent servicing. Continuous operation meant more wear, more maintenance, and a power interruption every time the generator was serviced.
• Noise and emissions. Constant engine operation added noise to the compound and emissions to a project built around clean energy.

For a project delivering renewable energy infrastructure, UGL wanted a power solution for its site compound that reflected the same goals: reliable, efficient and lower in emissions.

The Solution: The Makinex Renewables HPS45

UGL replaced the 40kVA diesel generator with a Makinex Renewables HPS45 Hybrid Power System, combining 45kW of power generation with 60kWh of battery storage in a single deployable unit.

The HPS45 brings together:

• 8kW of integrated solar, prioritised over the generator, charging the batteries with free, renewable energy.
• Lithium battery storage to carry the site load quietly and efficiently, day and night.
• An integrated generator that only starts when required, to recharge the batteries and support peak demand.

Instead of running continuously, the generator steps in only to top up the batteries, and runs at its most efficient load when it does. The site compound gets uninterrupted power, with a fraction of the generator runtime.

The Results: 25,388 Litres of Diesel Saved in Seven Months

In just seven months, the HPS45 cut the site compound’s diesel use by 25,388 litres and avoided 51 tonnes of CO₂ compared with the 40kVA generator it replaced. That’s more than 3,600 litres of diesel every month that never had to be delivered, stored or burned.

• 25,388 litres of diesel saved, around 120 litres every day, with far fewer refuelling runs and less time spent managing fuel
• 51 tonnes of CO₂ avoided, cutting emissions on a project built to deliver clean energy
• Generator hours slashed, with solar and battery power carrying the site and the generator starting only when needed
• Less servicing, fewer interruptions, with reduced wear and tear, longer service intervals and no risk of glazing
• Uninterrupted 24/7 power for the site offices and facilities, with quieter operation and no constant diesel noise and fumes

Customer Feedback

"Compared to normal diesel generation, we now have seamless operations onsite, we're seeing fuel savings and we're doing our bit for the environment."

— Darrell van Bruchem,

Project Manager, UGL Pty Limited

Smarter Power for Every Site Compound

Site compounds are part of almost every major infrastructure project, from renewable energy and transport to mining and construction. Many still rely on diesel generators running around the clock to power offices, crib rooms and amenities.

The New England Wind Farm project shows what's possible: significant fuel and emissions savings, with no compromise on reliability.

If you're looking to reduce generator runtime on your site, get in touch with the Makinex Renewables team, or estimate your potential savings with our Savings Calculator.