Wind farm projects to position Tasmania as major energy provider

Three wind farms are in operation, two under construction and up to another 10 proposed as Tasmania seeks to be a leader in renewable energy production.

Turbines are being erected at Cattle Hill wind farm, in Tasmania’s’ central plateau. Picture: GOLDWIND

WIND farm projects worth billions of dollars are being proposed for Tasmania in an unprecedented surge to lead the way on renewable energy.

Tasmania has three operating wind farms, two are under construction and there are up to 10 more wind farms being proposed, across the state’s North-West, West Coast, Central Highlands and North-East.

“We have what the rest of Australia needs, low cost, reliable and clean energy, which is why the Commonwealth has invested $56 million to progress the Marinus Link second interconnector and committed to work with the Tasmanian Government to underwrite the first phase of Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation project,” acting Minister for Energy Peter Gutwein said.

“Backed by a second interconnector, our pumped hydro plans and new wind farm projects will create thousands of jobs and billions in investment in Tasmania over the coming years.”

Residents in Tasmania’s North West are today being given an insight into the wind farm industry with a public viewing day in Burnie of the massive state-of-the-art wind turbine parts being held in storage.

The session runs from 10am to 2pm at Massy Greene Drive, South Burnie.

Here’s a quick guide to Tassie’s wind farms vision.

OPERATING

Musselroe.

Located in the North-East, operates 56 turbines, which generate 168 megawatts

Bluff Point.

In the state’s North-West, operates 37 turbines, which generate 65 megawatts

Studland Bay.

Also in the far North-West, operates 25 turbines, which generate 75 megawatts

Woolnorth operates all three wind farms in Tasmania and employ directly, and indirectly, about 40 people managing these operations.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Cattle Hill

Owned by Goldwind Australia and Power China, the project in the Central Plateau entails 48 wind turbines to generate 150 megawatts, enough to service 63,500 homes. Commissioning of turbines will start shortly. The project is employing about 150 people during construction, and 10 ongoing jobs to operate the facility, with major contracts signed with Tasmanian businesses including Hayward, Gradco and Hazel Bros.

Granville Harbour

Owned by Palisade Investment Partners, the project on the West Coast has 31 wind turbines to generate 112 megawatts, enough to service 46,000 homes. The first concrete pour for wind turbine foundations was conducted earlier this month and the site is expected to be operational in 2020. Operators say the Granville Harbour wind farm will create about 200 temporary jobs during construction and ten permanent jobs.

PROPOSED

Jim’s Plain, Robbins Island and Rushy Plains

Proposed by UPC Renewables and subject to development and environmental approvals, construction of Jim’s Plains wind farm is expected to start in 2020, followed by Robbins Island in 2021. Totalling over 1000 megawatts, UPC Renewables says these developments are expected to cost more than $1.5 billion and deliver more than 400 direct construction jobs over a four-year period, and support up to 65 direct jobs ongoing. UPC Renewables is also evaluating sites in North-East Tasmania, at Rushy Plains, to develop over 1000 megawatts.

Western Plains, St Patricks Plains, Hellyer and Guildford

Epuron is examining four sites for wind farm developments. These include the 46 megawatts Western Plains wind farm, near Stanley, and the St Patricks Plains wind farm, in central Tasmania, about 300 megawatts.

Both are in the community engagement and planning stages.

Epuron has reported that the proposed 80-turbine, 300-megawatts St Patrick’s wind farm near Miena is expected to cost $500 million, create more than 200 jobs during construction and 12-15 jobs ongoing.

Epuron is also undertaking feasibility assessments for the Hellyer wind farm in central Tasmania (40 turbines, 150 megawatt), and the Guildford wind farm, east of Waratah, (up to 80 turbines, 300 megawatts).

Port Latta

Nekon Pty Ltd’s proposal for a 25 megawatts wind farm at Port Latta has been assessed and approved through the EPA Board process. The construction of the wind farm is estimated to provide up to 15 construction jobs, and ongoing employment for the operation of the farm.

Low Head

Low Head Wind Farm Pty Ltd is the proponent for a proposed 42 megawatts wind farm east of Low Head. The proposed wind farm has been assessed and approved through the EPA Board process.

Whale Back Ridge

The West Coast Renewable Future’s project is in the early stages of evaluation. Early plans are for a wind farm inland of Granville Harbour of up to 500 turbines generating up to 1500 megawatts.