The Golden Plains Wind Farm has moved one step closer to construction after the Victorian government granted it planning permission. It is is set to be one of the largest wind farms in the country.
The Golden Plains Wind Farm, about 60km north-west of Geelong, would create hundreds of jobs and generate nearly 3,000GW hours of electricity per year– enough to power more than 400,000 homes.
Once complete, the $1.5 billion project would span up to 17,000 hectares and stop more than three million tonnes of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere each year.
The planning permit approval follows the conclusion of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) by the Victorian Acting Minister for Planning, Lily D’Ambrosio, at the end of 2018.
The minister’s assessment of the EES supported the project, subject to increasing the turbine-free buffer area to ensure breeding wetlands used by native birdlife are adequately protected.
The decision reflects advice from an independent expert planning panel and may result in a reduction of up to 47 turbines, from 228 to 181, with the number depending on how the proponent chooses to meet environmental restrictions.
The project must now be considered by the Federal Government for approval.
Proponent WestWind Energy will take around four years to build the project if approved.
The wind farm industry is powering ahead in Victoria with projects under construction at Lal Lal, Moorabool, Murra Warra, Bulgana and Stockyard Hill, delivering thousands of jobs to regional Victoria.
Ms D’Ambrosio said, “This project will create hundreds of local jobs, reduce greenhouse emissions and generate enough electricity to power more than 400,000 homes — boosting supply and putting downward pressure on power prices.”
The State Government has increased Victoria’s Renewable Energy Target to 50 per cent by 2030, putting more clean energy into the grid, increasing investment and driving down energy prices.
