30 turbines complete at Cattle Hill wind farm in Central Highlands

Goldwind’s Cattle Hill wind farm, in the Central Highlands, is moving closer to the day it delivers power to thousadns of Tasmanian homes.

TURBINES are taking shape at one of the state’s biggest wind farms with the day moving closer that power is generated for thousands of Tasmanian homes.

Goldwind’s Cattle Hill wind farm, in Tasmania’s Central Highlands, has completed 30 massive turbines and they are in the process of being commissioned.

The farm will eventually be dotted with 48 turbines, creating enough power for 63,500 homes when in full production.

Farm owner Peter Downie said the turbines had caused little impact on the environment, and even the 600 cows had barely noticed.

Mr Downie said the renewable energy project was not only a way of diversifying his farm, but having a positive impact on the environment.

“We are doing our bit to help reduce the amount of pollution that’s going into the air,” he said.

“The basis of our wealth is having a healthy ecology and healthy environment.”

He said it was also reassuring to know the turbines would have no great impact in the long term.

“Even at the end of its life, this will cause no significant change to the land or the landscape.”

The farm is located on the eastern shore of Lake Echo in the southern side of the Central Plateau of Tasmania.

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Peter Downie’s cattle herd shares the Central Highlands paddocks with massive wind turbines.

Mr Downie said the area had a long tradition of power generation in Tasmania, located only a few kilometres from Waddamana, the site of the state’s first power station. The Great Lake Power Scheme was opened in 1916.

“This area has always contributed to the state’s economy,” he said.

The Cattle Hill wind farm scheme has generated about 150 jobs during its construction phase, which started 18 months ago.

Up to ten staff will be engaged on a permanent ongoing basis once it becomes fully operational.

Goldwind Australia is using the farm to trial IdentiFlight technology, which is aimed at stopping eagles collide with wind farms.

If an eagle’s speed and flight path indicate a risk of collision with a turbine, a signal is sent to shut the turbine down.

A ceremony to mark the start of generation will be held on site on Friday.