A proposed wind farm visible from Jugiong and stretching back towards Yass is one approval tick away from becoming a reality.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The NSW Department of Planning has recommended the ‘Yass Valley Wind Farm’ by company Epuron for approval at 79 turbines, when it comes under the scrutiny of the NSW Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC).
Three years ago the proposal was for 152 turbines, which through consultation with landowners and different levels of government has been refined to 124, according to Epuron’s Andrew Durran.
However, the department is now giving a preliminary green light for 79 turbines.
At the originally proposed 124 turbine level, the wind farm would generate 975 gigawatt hours of clean energy per year, enough to power 133,500 homes.
This will reduce proportionately should the scale of the wind farm be reduced.
Mr Durran said the principal reason for moving the location of some of the proposed turbines and scaling back the project was due to “visual impact”.
A $620 million investment in the local area, Epuron has also committed to providing a ‘community fund’ worth $2,500 per wind turbine to provide benefits to the community.
Mr Durran said Epuron hopes to have an answer in the next couple of months from PAC and if that is a positive one, they will look to start construction on the wind turbines within 12 months and have the project completed within two years.
- See map of proposed wind farm area at www.cootamundraherald.com.au