February 11, 2020
Australia

Major wind farm project proposed near Coolah, community info session planned

Benjamin Palmer | Mudgee Guardian | February 11 2020 | www.mudgeeguardian.com.au

A major wind farm project is being proposed south of Coolah.

The so-called Valley of the Winds project is an 800-megawatt wind farm which would be located on cleared grazing land between Coolah and Leadville in the Warrumbungle Shire.

The company behind the project is developer UPC\AC Renewables Australia (UPC). UPC says the project will generate enough energy to power 590,000 homes per year in NSW. The company also says the project is expected to create up to 400 jobs during the construction phase and 50 full-time positions once complete.

Members of the community are being encouraged to attend an information session to be held at the end of February to discuss the plans which are still in the early stages according to UPC.

Project Manager Jeremy Ellis said the community information session was being held to introduce the project to the local community during the early planning stages.

“This is a great opportunity for us to introduce the project, answer questions and get early feedback from the local community,” Mr Ellis said.

“We want this project to be a valued long-term asset for rural communities across the Central West region for many years to come. So, it’s important for us to hear the views of the local community as early as possible and wherever we can build them into our project application.”

According to UPC, the wind farm would contain approximately 175 wind turbines with a maximum height of 250 metres. A battery storage system is also being considered for the project.

The project comes nearly three months after the NSW Government announced plans for its ‘renewable energy zone’, hoping to attract investment in the Central West as it accelerates its efforts to attract cheap wind and solar.

According to UPC, the project will be ‘assessed as a State Significant Development’. Approval will be required from the Commonwealth, with input from the community and local councils.

The community information session will be held from 2pm to 7pm on Thursday 27 February at Coolah Showgrounds, Dunedoo Road.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2020/02/11/major-wind-farm-project-proposed-near-coolah-community-info-session-planned/