Power surge is in the wind
Energy park to become biggest in the country $1.6b project kicks off in state’s far North-West
TASMANIA’S far NorthWest is set to become Australia’s wind farm capital with work starting on what is destined to be the nation’s biggest renewable energy park.
A 112.7m wind tower, which costs about $1.5 million, has been erected on Robbins Island, off Montagu.
Another two will follow to guide the placement and size of the 150-300 turbines needed to generate up to 1000MW of energy — enough to power 500,000 houses.
The $1.6 billion Jim’s Plain and Robbins Island wind project is being privately funded by UPC Renewables Australia and it will dwarf the nearby Woolnorth and Studland Bay wind farms and eclipse the nation’s current biggest wind farm, McArthur in Victoria, by about 600MW.
Robbins Island is already on the map for its wagyu cattle and beef production will continue in partnership with the wind power proposal.
The island is owned by John and Keith Hammond, who have been contemplating diversifying into green energy for decades.
“The same winds which blows over Woolnorth blows over this island,” John Hammond said on site yesterday.
“It is a perfect fit really, will be still be farming cattle and also farming wind.
“Our 5000 head of cattle will move freely. The island is 100 sq km and the turbines will mostly be in the west which is heath and low-grade production land.”
UPC Renewables Australia has leased the land from the Hammonds and the family will also get a percentage of the power generated.
A transmission line will need to be built either over or under Robbins Channel to feed the power into Tasmania’s grid.
UPC has sent a Notice of Intent to the Tasmanian Environmental Protection Authority and the projects have been referred to the Federal Department of Environment and Energy.
Construction, depending on approvals, is expected to begin at Jim’s Plain, across the passage on the Tasmanian mainland by mid 2020. Construction on Robbins Island is earmarked for the end of 2021.
A construction workforce of about 250 will be needed. They, and the massive turbines to be erected, will be shipped to the island by barge or via a causeway.
About 50 workers will be needed when the wind farm is operational.
UPC has developed, owned and operated wind and solar farms in 10 countries.
Chief executive Anton Rohner said the Robbins IslandJim’s Plain development would be a game changer for Australia.
“This area of Tasmania has a world-class wind resource and this wind farm is expected to produce power 90 per cent of the time,” Mr Rohner said.
“There is a massive amount of science to be done but we expect to be generating electricity within five years.”
Mr Rohner said the company would also measure bat echoes to gather information for the Development Application.
“Our studies on flora and fauna will continue between now and when we expect to submit our formal DA at about this time next year,” he said.
“We have engaged leading global professional services company GHD to prepare the development approvals.”
Mr Rohner said a second interconnector across Bass Strait was needed.
“A second interconnector enhances the viability of renewable energy projects in Tasmania and opens Tasmania to a green energy development zone, that the projects at Robbins Island and Jim’s Plains would be located in.
“It will also likely lead to cheaper power prices for Tasmanians, with surplus power exported interstate, and provide further security to Tasmania through a strengthened system.”
Energy Minister Guy Barnett called UPC’s announcement a “terrific day for Tasmania”.
“We are backing UPC to take these projects to their full potential by working with the Federal Government to jointly invest up to $20 million to further progress the business case for a second Basslink interconnector,” Mr Barnett said.
The report into the capacity, geographical location and viability of a second inter- connector was due to be released in 12 months.
“That cable will unlock renewable energy potential right across the state but this area inn particular could become the wind farm capital of the world,” he said.
“We have what the rest of Australia wants — world-class wind and water resources and we are backing the renewable energy sector to the hilt.”
Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam said he had not received any negative feedback in the community about the proposed Robbins Island wind project.
“This region has had some hard times in 2017 but that has been turned around with a new owner found for the Edith Creek milk plant and then this announcement — which is one of the best Christmas presidents the area could ask for,” Mayor Quilliam said.