Construction has begun on Crookwell 2 wind farm’s 28 turbines, marking a major milestone in the ACT’s push for 100 per cent renewable electricity.
Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Shane Rattenbury, said, “The farm will generate over 300,000 megawatt-hours per year of clean, renewable electricity each year which is enough to power around 42,000 Canberra homes and ensure we are well on the way to achieving our 100 per cent renewable electricity target.”
“The 91 Megawatt Crookwell 2 wind farm will be built within the Canberra region and will bring significant local investment benefits, bringing new jobs to the ACT and the involvement of local contractors and suppliers.”
The wind farm is being built by Global Power Generation Australia which, as part of its local investment commitments for the wind farm, has just moved its head office to Canberra. The 28 wind turbines will be supplied by General Electric, and the civil and electrical works will be delivered by BMD Constructions and Consolidated Power Projects Australia, respectively.
As well as relocation of its head office, the local investment commitments of the wind farm include a collaboration to develop innovative technology demonstration projects in new areas such as zero-emission hydrogen transport and hydrogen energy storage.
The company will also employ at least six additional local staff during construction, and has made a commitment to have as much as possible of the wind farm’s equipment and engineering supply based in Canberra during construction.
Mr Rattenbury said the wind farm is expected to commence generation in September 2018.
The Sapphire and Hornsdale Stage 2 wind farms will also begin generation in 2018, r with Hornsdale Stage 3 wind farm beginning generation in 2019.
“Once these four wind farms commence generation, the ACT will have achieved its target of sourcing 100 per cent of our electricity from renewable sources,” Mr Rattenbury said.
