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Big wind farm project for King Island
Credit: ABC News | 27 November 2012 | www.abc.net.au ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
It is believed a $2 billion wind farm project is about to be unveiled for King Island off Tasmania’s north-west.
A public meeting has been held on the island to brief the community.
Hydro Tasmania has been investigating new wind farm sites throughout the state.
There are already several turbines on King Island.
The local council, state government and Hydro Tasmania are remaining tight-lipped about the venture, but a government spokesman has confirmed a major renewable energy announcement will be made on Wednesday.
Former Hydro Chairman Peter Rae says King Island is ideally placed for a large scale wind farm, and a $2 billion project would generate a huge amount of energy.
“We would come out with something like 350 thousand homes,” he said.
“It is the roaring forties that come in and provide an excellent resource and I’m delighted to hear that what I’ve been keen to see happen apparently may be going to happen.”
It is understood electricity generated by the development would be exported directly to Victoria where Hydro Tasmania’s profitable retail arm Momentum Energy operates.
The Liberals Matthew Groom says that is likely to require the laying of another under-sea cable similar to Basslink.
“The Tasmanian Liberals would very strongly welcome a sizeable wind development opportunity for Tasmania such as this.”
Eric Woehler from Birds Tasmania is worried about the impact on birdlife.
“We have eagles on King Island so the alarm bells would certainly ringing in terms of the potential impact to bird values on King Island.”
The island has been struggling economically since the JBS Swift abattoir closed in September.
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