Friday 8 February 2008

Proposed farm to be country's most powerful: Moyne hot wind target

Warrnambool Standard
Thursday 7/2/2008 Page: 4

THE country's most powerful wind farm is proposed to be built outside Mortlake. A 150-turbine site planned at Darlington, five kilometres east of Mortlake, will be capable of generating 450 megawatts of energy. Another new wind development is mooted in the south-west, with 100 turbines forecast on land at Berrybank, near Lismore. Both projects are yet to lodge planning applications but have not been found to require an environmental effects statement.

The Darlington Wind Farm - located south of the Hamilton Highway - would be Australia's most powerful wind energy development. The Macarthur proposal - the largest approved wind farm - could distribute 329 MW into the state electricity grid. Proponents TME Australia yesterday told The Standard that community consultation on the projects would begin within a few months.

Assistant project manager Jang Kim said site assessment work was in the early stages for both projects. The company is also behind proposed wind farms at Hawkesdale and Ryan's Corner. Acciona Energy has also proposed another site for 100 turbines at Mortlake. Moyne Mayor Ken Gale said the size of the two new projects meant they would be decided on by the State Government. "We can just make sure proper and due consultation takes place and certain conditions are met," he said. Moyne is a hot target for wind energy developers, with nine projects either approved or in planning. "We've just got so much wind." Cr Gale said.

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