Tasmania’s renewable energy surge continues, with an early works construction agreement signed for a $300 million wind farm in the Central Highlands.
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Goldwind Australia’s Cattle Hill wind farm is expected to create enough energy to power more than 60,000 homes.
It will create up to 150 jobs during construction and about 10 ongoing maintenance jobs.
“Tasmania is already the nation’s renewable energy powerhouse, and the Cattle Hill project will help propel Tasmania’s reputation as a leader in renewable generation,” Energy Minister Guy Barnett said.
“It also adds to our case for a second interconnector, where Tasmania would be able to sell excess renewable energy to the mainland.
“The Cattle Hill Wind Farm will add another 148 megawatts to the Tasmanian electricity system, and increases Tasmania’s wind generation by nearly half
“The agreement signed today allows Hazell Brothers to commence early works for the project and acknowledges them as the preferred contractor for the full civil and electrical works for the wind farm.”
The wind farm will be on the eastern shore of Lake Echo.
It is expected to involve 48 turbines.
“The developer has also provided TasNetworks with a notice to proceed in relation to the asset development agreement for the project,” Mr Barnett said.
“This means that the developer has approved for TasNetworks to undertake the capital works needed to connect the wind farm to the Tasmanian grid, and these works are expected to start soon.”
Goldwind has Commonwealth, state and council approvals to build and operate the wind farm.
Aurora Energy and Goldwind announced last June they had reached in principle agreement on the wind farm.
Site access construction work started in March.
Goldwind wants construction to be finished by the end of 2019.
Mr Barnett said it was another important step towards Tasmania becoming 100 per cent energy self-sufficient through renewable energy.
Aside from Cattle Hill, momentum is building for major Tasmanian pumped hydro developments to increase energy output.
Another big wind farm is being built on the West Coast.
Construction of the $280 million Granville Harbour Wind Farm started in January.
It will have 31 turbines and produce 112 megawatts.
That would be enough to power more than 46,000 homes.
There are plans for more wind power developments, including an even bigger project on Robbins Island, at Circular Head.
