Workers in Burra support Neoen’s billion-dollar plans for renewable energy project in the region
Rural workers – from farmers to shop owners – have welcomed the announcement of a billion-dollar energy project and the expected local benefits.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
About 40 families with landholdings in the Burra region will share in payments of some $10 million a year once a massive renewable energy project is fully built, developer Neoen says.
The broader community will also benefit with a fund of $1 million a year to be set aside for local initiatives, such as heritage restoration or recreational facilities.
Announcing the project in Burra on Wednesday, Neoen’s head of development for Australia Garth Heron said the company aimed at a staged, steady build over the next few years.
In total, Neoen expects to spend $5 billion, creating a wind, solar and battery farm.
As reported by The Advertiser, the first stage will cost about $1 billion – but it would be followed by four further stages.
“We want to create a sustained economic boost to the region,” Mr Heron said.
“This will give local contractors, manufacturers and suppliers of services such as accommodation more of an opportunity.”
Landowners James and Julia Clarke are among families in discussion with Neoen.
“Any company that wants to invest in a regional area is a huge plus for us,” Mr Clarke said.
The Clarkes run sheep for lambs and wool and grow cereal crops.
“Having another revenue stream will help our business by giving us the security to invest further,” he said.
Ms Clarke’s family has owned the land for 150 years. The homestead faces the nearby Hallett wind farm.
“We’ve been living across from them for about 10 years and they’re really not an issue,” Mr Clarke said.
Neoen’s project would be split into two areas, Goyder South and North.
Goyder South would consist of 1200MW of wind, 600MW of solar and 900MW of battery storage built in three stages.
The wind farm would be the largest in Australia and the battery nine times the power rating of the Tesla battery at Jamestown’s Hornsdale Power Reserve – which Neoen also owns.
Goyder North, the fourth and fifth stages, would add another 800MW of wind, 400MW of solar and 300MW of battery.
By comparison, the now demolished coal-fired Northern Power Station at Port Augusta had a 500MW power rating.
Mr Heron said Neoen aims to take its plan for Goyder South to the State Commission Assessment Panel this year and begin construction the end of 2020.
Goyder North would be a year or two later in the development process.
About 300 workers will be needed at the peak of each stage.
Kareena Opperman, whose family are the third generation to operate the supermarket in Burra, said the project was great news.
“It’ll be amazing for everything – for the schools, sports clubs, hospitals and business groups,” she said.
Kate Schmiechen, whose family own St Just Café, said: “It’ll be great for business. We’ve been getting a lot busier with tourists and this’ll add to it.”
The project will be a big boon for the district, said Bill Vandepeer, chairman of Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North.
“ ...from Peterborough down through Goyder Council area to Robertstown they’re really suffering,” he said.
“So they’ll welcome news of this development.”