Tasmanian wind farm proponents take 170km powerline plan to the community

The proponents of a wind farm development in Tasmania’s far North-West have plans for a 170km mega powerline across the state.

A proposed route for a 170km powerline between a wind farm on Robbins Island and Sheffield contained in an update published by UPC Renewables.

A 170km mega power line will need to be built between Tasmania’s far North-West and Sheffield to deliver the electricity generated from a new wind farm development into the national grid.

The UPC Renewables Robbins Island Renewable Energy Park, made up of two wind farms which will generate a total 1000MW of power, is progressing.

Attention has now turned to getting the line needed to transport to from the farm in the state’s North-West to the Sheffield substation at Nook approved.

A community meeting will be held in Ulverstone on Wednesday to discuss the 50m-high powerlines’ proposed route.

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Some concern has already been expressed on social media that the proposed powerline route would travel through important natural areas such as Leven Canyon.

UPC Renewables says in its latest update a number of potential connection options had been considered and the Sheffield substation was the closest capable of handling the size of connection required for the projects.

“Sheffield also fits well with the future second interconnector (Project Marinus) and Battery of the Nation plans,” the company said.

SEE THE UPC UPDATE HERE

“We have been out talking with landowners to identify a suitable route. We have also been meeting with the five councils whose jurisdiction the transmission line crosses.”

The company said key considerations were avoiding areas of high environmental and heritage significance and minimising the impact on private landowners

The approvals process for the transmission line will involve DA approval from the five councils and the five separate DAs will be submitted towards the end of this year.

Company representatives and a map of the proposed route will be in the Montgomery Room in the Woolworths carpark on Wednesday between 4pm and 7pm.