An iconic new renewable energy project for the Latrobe Valley has been proposed in the plantations above the now closed Hazelwood Power Station.
Straddling the Latrobe City Council, Baw Baw Shire and South Gippsland Shire Councils, the Delburn Wind Farm is proposed to bringing jobs and clean energy to the Latrobe Valley. The wind farm will power approximately 200,000 homes and will offer the opportunity for community co-investment in the project. The plantation will host up to 53 turbines with a total capacity of 300 MW and total height of up to 250 metres. The wind farm will cost approximately $400-500 million and offset 980,000 tonnes of carbon per annum.
Project developer Peter Marriott from OSMI said “Throughout Europe, wind turbines are a natural fit with forestry plantations, coexisting on the one site. In this case, we are pleased to be operating within a HVP Plantations Latrobe Valley estate, to develop what will be the first forest based wind farm in Australia.”
“Construction isn’t planned to commence until 2022 – this phase is really about engaging early with neighbours and the local community to ensure this project is well designed and well supported.”
“One of the first activities is to hire a local community engagement officer to ensure we have an avenue for genuine community participation in this project. We also have a public survey open to gather local feedback on the benefit sharing model, investment and any concerns people may have.”
OSMI will be directly reaching out to those residents identified within 1-2 kilometers of the proposed wind turbine locations over the coming month.
OSMI is a company bringing over 25 years of wind farm development experience in Victoria and actively investigating the feasibility of forestry based wind farms throughout Victoria.
Interested community members are invited to fill in the public survey to help guide the project and show their interest in the investment opportunity.
To find out more about the local job opportunity and to subscribe to the e-newsletter, go to www.osmi.com.au or email [email protected].
