General News
22 August, 2024
Wimmera Plains turbine plans in the wind
International company BayWa r.e. is honing plans for a wind turbine and battery storage facility on 50 hectares between Horsham and Warracknabeal.
The Wimmera Plains Energy project will house 52 turbines with a blade tip height of 247 metres and produce sufficient renewable energy to power about 155,000 homes.
Parent company BayWa, which has facilities in 34 countries and has its headquarters in Germany, is one of the world's foremost trading companies and service providers in agriculture, energy and construction.
Spokesperson Marteena McKenzie said the company was negotiating to lease land from 12 landholders in Horsham Rural City about 18 kilometres north of the city in an area east and west of the Henty Highway.
The total land area is 3500 hectares, with impact on 50 hectares.
The company plans to use existing 220kV transmission lines within the project boundary to send power to the national electricity grid.
"Construction is expected to start by late 2025, and take two-three years," Ms McKenzie said.
"Normal farming practices will continue around the turbines and other infrastructure.
"The project is expected to add about 400 jobs to the Wimmera workforce during construction and 10 during operation."
People with homes within 3.6km of the project are eligible for compensation payments.
Ms McKenzie said community engagement started in 2019 and included drop-in sessions with Jung residents.
Discussions were also held with Horsham Rural City Council and Barengi Gadjin Land Council.
Earlier, BayWa representatives met with the Wimmera Southern Mallee renewable energy collaboration group and attended workshops across the Wimmera to hear from community, farming and business representatives.
An annual community benefit fund will take effect once construction starts.
BayWa received state government planning approval for its project in July 2021.
The company has offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and wind, solar and battery projects in Victoria, NSW and Queensland.