The Australian Wind Alliance has welcomed approval of a new wind farm project in South Australia, which will help the nation achieve its goal of generating 23 per cent of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020.
Trustpower’s Palmer Wind Farm project is expected to generate enough clean energy to power 250,000 homes each year. It will also create 250-300 jobs during the construction phase, and employ 12-15 people once built.
Mid Murray Council today announced a unanimous decision to approve the proposal, which has been under consideration since February 2014.
This is an example of how one renewable energy project can not only strengthen the economy of regional towns and districts, but also play an important role in powering our nation with clean energy.
Throughout the planning approval process we were pleased to see strong community engagement from the developer. We welcomed the developer’s initiative in sharing financial benefits with wind farm neighbours and hope this becomes a regular feature of new wind farms.
The number of turbines proposed to be built was revised down from 130 to 116 following public consultation.
People living near the project, about 50km east of Adelaide near Palmer and Tungkillo, should be encouraged by the experience of Australians already living near one of the country’s wind farms (now numbering almost 80).
Anyone who wants to understand what sorts of opportunities and benefits a wind farm can create in their community should speak to those who live and work next to them – like many of our alliance members.
They understand first-hand how a farmer can keep farming, while receiving a drought-proof income from wind turbines, and how such projects can provide job opportunities in regional towns and boost the local economy.
The alliance is a community-based advocacy group of farmers, wind workers, small businesses and residents, who share a common vision of harnessing Australia’s world-class wind resources to power homes, cities and industries with clean renewable energy. Go to www.windalliance.org.au for details.
Andrew Bray, national coordinator, Australian Wind Alliance
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