The Victorian Government has given the green light for a new $662 million wind farm near Horsham in Victoria's west.
“We are paving the way for investment and more jobs in the wind sector and made it clear Victoria is the best location for new wind farms,” said Minister for Planning Richard Wynne.
The Murra Warra wind farm will feature 116 turbines which will help eliminate over a million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year from the State’s electricity generation sector. The new wind farm will also be able to supply up to 250,000 homes with enough clean electricity – up to 420 megawatts of renewable energy into the Victorian network.
“We’re proud to be transitioning Victoria to a net zero, climate resilient community and economy. This 116 turbine project will play an important role in us delivering on our nation leading renewable energy targets,” said Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio.
This project headed by RES Australia will be supporting up to 610 indirect and direct jobs during construction as well as 15 local positions and 45 jobs in the region once the wind farm is operational.
RES will also be providing a community fund worth $1,000 per turbine per year in order to support local projects and causes, giving a boost for the local community.
The proposal for the Murra Warra wind farm was supported by the local community with no objections while it was advertised for consultation.
The Victorian Government is targeting for electricity generated in the State to come from renewable energy – up to 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025.
“This is a win for Western Victoria and a win for the environment. This is the type of clean energy investment the Andrews Labor Government is proud to support,” said Member for Western Victoria Region Jaala Pulford.
Construction of the Murra Warra wind farm will take approximately two years to complete, but RES has not yet released the timeline on when works will commence.
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Source: Premier of Victoria and The Daily Telegraph