Australia - Plans unveiled to create one of the largest wind farms in the country

Plans have been unveiled to create one of the largest wind farms in Australia at a cost of more than $200 million on the scenic outskirts of Orange. The details of a proposal by investment bank Babcock and Brown to build at least 40 turbines to the south of the city near Forest Reefs have been revealed.

If the plan eventuates, the wind farm would be capable of powering 57,000 homes across the country. A year of data testing is now under way, with three specially constructed 80 metre high mast towers designed to measure wind speeds now in place at the peak of the area’s ridge line.

Babcock and Brown project manager Jonathan Upson said that if the data proved the project viable, a development application would be submitted towards the end of next year. “Our indications show it does have enormous potential and if we were successful in any application we could be constructing the turbines within a couple of years. “But we have a lot of work to do before then,” he said.

Around 15 local landowners have expressed their interest to the investment firm about having turbines placed on their properties, with Babcock and Brown to pay a yearly fee for each turbine on site. While Mr Upson would not confirm how much the locals would receive, similar arrangements across the country have seen landholders pocket $6000 to $8000 a year for each turbine on their property.

Eurrowanbang Road farmer Kim Masters said the remuneration could prove invaluable considering drought and water shortages had hit the area hard. “I’ve been interested in the idea of wind farms in the area for the last 10 years and why not, they don’t rely on sun and they don’t rely on water so it really is the way things are heading in the future,” he said.