The controversial Nundle wind farm, which is set to be sold if approved, could be acquired as part of a package deal.
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French company Engie, which is working with Wind Energy Partners, is reportedly seeking investors in an entity called the Australian Renewable Energy Platform.
Aside from the Nundle power scheme, the platform would also include Queensland projects the Gregory Solar Farm and Warhook Solar Farm, the Silverleaf Solar Farm, in NSW and the Victorian Canunda Wind Farm.
Wind Energy Partners, the Australian company developing the 70-turbine project, does not build or operate wind farms.
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The company is like a residential property developer, selling an approved project to another company, which acts as landlord.
Prominent project opponent Megan Trousdale said there was no guarantee that would actually happen.
She was also concerned any approved project would be left a "fantasy" until market conditions suited the new owner, potentially leaving a zombie project for years.
Mrs Trousdale pointed to the approved, but still-imaginary, Upper Hunter energy park at Scone as an example. The project was approved ten years ago.
"What I would like to see is that the community is totally aware of the process," she said.
"I don't think everyone in the community is aware that Wind Energy Partners plans to sell the project."
She also said the community should have access to brochures used to sell the bundle deal to investors.
Wind Energy Partners President Jamie Chivers said the build-to-sell model was a common one in the industry.
The company did not "have the balance sheet to build and we have always been seeking a partner who does have the balance sheet and the financial capability to build the project," he said.
"It's a state significant development, it's a large infrastructure project. We've always been transparent with the community that it would be our intention to sell at some point to ensure that the project can be built with the right partner."
He committed to keeping the community up-to-date with any prospective sale - which, he said, he hoped would happen with French multinational Engie.
The project has until November to submit a development application for approval.
Andrew Messenger
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
