The go-ahead for a major West Coast wind farm project looks likely to come within weeks.
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The $270 million Granville Harbour Wind Farm would:
- Create about 200 jobs in construction;
- support and/or create an estimated 40-50 wind tower manufacturing jobs at Haywards, in Launceston;
- boost Tasmania’s energy supply and security;
- increase the state’s ability to make money from electricity exports; and
- provide carbon dioxide emissions abatement equivalent to taking more than 30,000 cars off the road.
The proponent, Westcoast Wind, has been in negotiations with state-owned Aurora Energy and Hydro Tasmania.
“We’re awaiting an outcome to the negotiations,” Westcoast Wind director Alex Simpson said on Wednesday
“We don’t know what the outcome is.”
However, there is growing optimism a deal will be reached soon, allowing the project to start quickly.
State Energy Minister Matthew Groom said the government was “absolutely committed to supporting the development of more on-island renewable generation”.
“Further substantial renewable development can help Tasmania be more self sufficient in its renewable generation and also attract investment and jobs.
“That’s why last year we instructed Tasmania’s energy businesses to proactively engage with proponents to identify and facilitate renewable energy development opportunities in Tasmania, including Granville.
“We will have more to say on these exciting developments in the coming weeks.”
The project has been on the drawing board for some years.
It was delayed by uncertainty at federal level over the Renewable Energy Target.
Westcoast Wind has approval for a 99 megawatt project, with potential to increase that to 112 megawatts, subject to further approval.
Haywards managing director Steve Edmunds said the project would support existing jobs at the company and, if the current workload stayed the same, it would look for extra employees.
He said Haywards anticipated the tower manufacturing would take nine months to a year.
”We’re hoping Alex and Royce (Smith) and the guys can get their project through,” Mr Edmunds said.
