December 15, 2010
Australia

New windfarm proposed for western Hunter Valley

ABC News, www.abc.net.au 15 December 2010

An energy development firm has outlined plans for a major new wind farm in the Upper Hunter.

The Liverpool Range Wind Farm is being proposed by Epuron, between Cassilis and Coolah, in the middle of the Upper Hunter renewable energy precinct.

The Development and Environmental Services Committee of the Upper Hunter Shire Council has heard the company has been carrying out investigations in the area for almost two years.

“Using the elevated ridges that run north-south in the general area of Coolah,” Epuron project manager, Simon Davey said.

“We believe that the wind speeds and the data indicates that there is a very good and strong, consistent wind resource in the area that we are quite excited about.”

Early estimates are that the project could involve the establishment of 200 turbines and up-to-50 kilometres of transmission lines to connect the operation to the electricity grid.

Epuron already has one windfarm operating at Cullerin, near Goulburn, and has approval for four others across NSW.

It is currently awaiting a decision from Planning Minister, Tony Kelly, on whether the Liverpool Range project will be considered a Part 3A major development.

The company expects to lodge Environment Assessments for the project next year.

“We have reached the point where we wish to take that proposal forward and we will be looking to submit a project application in the coming year or so,” Mr Davey said.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/12/15/new-windfarm-proposed-for-western-hunter-valley/