Golden Plains windfarm gets new partner

IN the latest development at the Golden Plains Wind Farm, WestWind Energy Australia will be teaming up with GE Renewable Energy.

The project is set to use over 200 of GE’s Cypress wind turbines for a total capacity of over one-gigawatt to create the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere.

Projected to commence next year, the wind farm has been in development for over eight years with strong support from landowners and the community, it aims to reach total capacity by 2025.

In its commitment to the regional residents, locally based developer WestWind established a community reference group to ensure the wind farm is mutually beneficial.

Managing Director of WestWind Energy Australia Tobias Geiger said he was elated at the news of the partnership.

“WestWind Energy’s roots are local, we are a team of just 16, all of whom are based in Victoria,” he said.

“We operate in a different way to the big utilities and developers, we work where we live and are part of the local fabric.

“This project will make a huge difference to the community, with many local jobs created during construction and operation as well as providing drought proof income to 40 host landholders.”

Mayor of Golden Plains Shire Cr Owen Sharkey added, “We look forward to the benefits the project will bring to the region for many years to come.”