Project to go ahead

Western Downs to reap the benefits after wind farm approval

A MASSIVE multi-million dollar project could bring hundreds of jobs to the Darling Downs after the State Government announced 56 wind turbines have been approved for a $450 million project in the region.

Estimates from the Department of State Development claim about 400 construction jobs and 35 ongoing jobs could be generated next year, when building begins on the Renewable Energy Systems wind farm at Dulacca, 250km northwest of Toowoomba.

The wind farm would produce around 240 megawatts of power, enough to power about 158,000 homes on the Western Downs.

“This project will help with the continued economic diversification of Dulacca, stimulating job growth during both construction and operation,” State Development Minister Cameron Dick said.

Renewable energy has been a major investment area on the Western Downs, with $5.1 billion worth of projects approved for the region in the last few years.

The surge comes on the back of the $48 million Baking Board Solar Farm at Chinchilla, the $217 million Darling Downs Solar Farm near Dalby and another five south-west renewable energy projects either committed to or under way.

“This is yet another project generating jobs and renewable energy for Queensland, as we transition steadily towards our target of 50 per cent renewables by 2030,” Energy Minister Anthony Lynham said.

Renewable Energy Systems Development Project Manager Llion Parry said construction of the wind farm would begin in early 2020 and be fully operational by 2021.

“The wind farm development approval is a significant milestone for the project and we are excited to bring a renewable energy project of this scale to the Western Downs region,” Mr Parry said.

“The site for the wind farm was chosen due to its excellent wind resource, proximity to the transmission network, and low environmental impact.”

Renewable Energy Systems is also investigating the possibility of developing a solar farm on the site.