ARARAT - RES Australia has revised its plan for the number of turbines to be constructed as part of the proposed Ararat Wind Farm, determining that the site has the potential for 76 wind turbines.
The site of the Ararat Wind Farm is located seven kilometres north east of Ararat - north and south of the Pyrenees highway. The total site area will cover 5,272 hectares, although the project's infrastructure is expected to be contained in area which is less than one percent of the site, or 52 hectares.
"We previously advised that the scope of the project would be approximately 50 wind turbines,'' RES Australia Developer Sedat Erol said.
"Through further engineering, planning and environmental assessments it has been determined that the site has potential for further generation capacity.
"The revised proposal will include up to 76 wind turbines and associated on-site infrastructure, such as access tracks, underground cabling, substation, site office and wind monitoring anemometer masts.''
The dimensions of the proposed wind turbines are unchanged. The towers will be constructed of tubular steel and the rotors will be constructed of composite materials reaching a maximum blade tip height of up to 135 metres. The colour of the wind turbines will be off-white with a matt finish. The proposed turbines will have a capacity of 2MW-3MW each (the exact turbine model is yet to be determined), resulting in a maximum electricity generation of up to 228 MW.
Mr Erol said the project will continue to develop in response to technical, landowner, stakeholder and community input to ensure that the Ararat Wind Farm is of world class standard.
The Ararat site was chosen after studies indicated that the site has favourable wind resources, was near to a suitable transmission network and has a reasonable separation from residential areas.
RES Australia has been monitoring the wind resource on the ridges from a 50 metre high monitoring mast for nearly two years.
"We believe that by being sensitive and responsive to the community and the environmental needs during the design stage, the Ararat Wind Farm will be of a world class development,'' Mr Erol said.
Mr Erol said under the requirements of the Environment Effects Act, 1978, a Referral Form application has been lodged with the Victorian Minister for Planning for the modified proposal to re-confirm whether an Environment Effects Statement (EES) is required. Should an EES not be required by the Minister, the proposal would be assessed under the requirements of the Planning and Environment Act, 1987, through the Planning Permit process.
A referral will also be made to the Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999.
"While further site assessment has yet to be undertaken, it is considered unlikely that the development would be classified a controlled action and thereby trigger the Federal Department of the Environment and Water Resources' formal role in the decision making process,'' Mr Erol said.
An application is expected to be lodged in December 2008, with a view to constructing the proposed Ararat Wind Farm during 2010. The consent authority for the development will be the Victorian Minister for Planning.
Consultation with local authorities, interest groups and residents will continue prior to lodgement of the planning permit application.
RES Australia is keen to hear the views of the public on its proposal and a second open day will be held soon at which people will be invited to attend and provide comment.
RES Australia is an independent wind farm operator in the local market. It is a subsidiary of the Renewable Energy Systems group of companies based in the United Kingdom. The RES Group is a specialist wind farm developer with 27 years experience. So far it has built 64 wind farm projects around the world, with a further 18 projects currently under construction. In Australia it has now been operating from its base in Sydney for five years.
For further information on the proposed wind farm, contact Mr Erol on 02 9431 7600 or email info-australia@res-ltd.com