Sydney-based Epuron proposes $500 million, 80-turbine wind farm for Tasmania’s Central Highlands

The company behind a proposed 80-turbine wind farm in the state’s Central Highlands has revealed how much it expects the project to cost and how many jobs it would create.

FRESH details have been revealed on a wind farm proposal for Tasmania’s Central Highlands.

Sydney-based renewable energy developer Epuron hopes to build a farm of up to 80 turbines on rural properties 10km south of Miena and 30km north of Bothwell.

Senior project manager Donna Bolton said the expected cost of the St Patricks Plain Wind Farm was $500 million.

The proposed site for Epuron’s St Patricks Plains wind farm. Picture: SUPPLIED

She said the project would create more than 200 jobs during the peak construction period, with the farm expected to need 12-15 full time jobs once operational.

“If planning approval was granted two years from issuing project specific guidelines it could possibly be approved in November 2021, with construction ideally commencing the following 2022-23 summer,” she said.

The project is the company’s first large Tasmanian wind farm proposal after delivering 17 successful solar and wind energy developments across the nation since 2003.

MORE NEWS:

VOCAL WELCOME STRANGER OPPONENT JOINS APPEAL

MP REBUKED FOR ‘UNLADYLIKE’ BEHAVIOUR

ANGER OVER HUGE BLACK SWAN CULL

A State Government spokesman said renewable energy was one of Tasmania’s greatest competitive advantages.

“Plans for the Marinus second interconnector will potentially inject up to $5 billion into our state’s economy, put downward pressure on Tasmanian power prices and create thousands of jobs, particularly in regional Tasmania,” he said.

“The St Patricks Plain proposal is just one of a number of potential projects that would be unlocked by Marinus, driving investment in Tasmania, employing local workers and supporting regional communities.

“We look forward to receiving further details and support community engagement, noting that any development would be subject to the appropriate assessments.”

[e-mail]