Cape to get wind turbines

CONSTRUCTION on a new wind farm at Cape York is expected to begin later this year.

Canberra based company Windlab has received the green light from the State Government to build its $200 million wind farm at Lakeland, 60km southwest of Cooktown.

The 30-turbine project will produce about 100 megawatts of power for the Far North connected via the national electricity grid.

Windlab has already released an expression of interest for the estimated 200 jobs expected to be generated during the project’s year-long construction.

The wind farm will be the fourth in the Far North, alongside the Mt Emerald Wind Farm currently under construction at Walkamin, the Windy Hill Wind Farm installed at Ravenshoe and a wind farm installed at Thursday Island.

Another two wind farms have also been proposed for Ravenshoe by developers Ratch Australia and Neoen.

Windlab chief executive Roger Price said Lakeland had one of the best wind resources in Queensland.

“There was over $400 billion invested globally in renewable energy last year,” he said.

“I think what we’re seeing is Queensland is now getting its fair share of the opportunities, both from a solar perspective and a wind perspective.

“There are relatively speaking limited opportunities for wind in Queensland, and areas like Lakeland are quite unique in terms of their ability to produce a very high quality wind resource, and therefore lowcost electricity.”

Mr Price said he was not sure yet whether equipment for the wind farm would arrive in the Far North via Cooktown or Cairns.

However, he said Windlab was very keen to ensure the project employed locals.

“We’ll take all reasonable steps to maximise the opportunities for local employment,” he said.