This year’s wind farm construction boom has begun with work starting this week on the $560 million 80-turbine Dundonnell wind farm north of Mortlake.
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The Dundonnell wind farm is the first to start building of four wind farms, totalling $1.45 billion, that are due to be built in the south-west this year.
Clayton Delmarter, from Tilt Renewables that is developing the Dundonnell wind farm, said there will be 200 jobs created throughout the construction period.
“Many of these employees have been confirmed but we are still sourcing local labour,” Mr Delmarter said.
“AusNet Services will shortly begin work on the transmission line,” he said.
Tilt said economic assessments had shown the Dundonnell wind farm would provide more than 1500 indirect jobs, with opportunities for local workers including electricians, transport and machine operators, general labourers, concrete businesses and quarry and material supplies.
“Workers from out-of-town will be using local accommodation, including in and around Mortlake, although some will stay as far out as Warrnambool.
“Construction will take about 22 months and the transmission line about 14 months.
“Dundonnell wind farm will be one of the largest in the state and once operational, will employ 10 full-time staff,” Mr Delmarter said.
The 336 megawatt wind farm will produce enough clean energy each year to power about 245,000 homes.
The blade tip height for the 80 turbines will be 189 metres high, nearly two-thirds the height of about Australia’s tallest building, Melbourne’s Eureka tower.
The project will involve an onsite quarry and a concrete batching plant, with 33kV underground cables between the 80 turbines.
It also involves 38 kilometres of 220kV overhead transmission line and a new substation.
The wind farm will be built on the land of 12 host landholders across about 4500 hectares.
