Under a deal announced Wednesday the Portland-based company will provide 35 wind towers to the project.

Ararat Rural City Mayor, Cr Paul Hooper said he was pleased to see the economic and employment benefits from the $450 million project flow to another rural municipality, in addition to his own. 

“Wind farms, by their very nature, benefit rural communities,” he said.

“In the lead up to the resolution of the Renewable Energy Target we constantly advocated and demonstrated to the Federal Government the economic benefits that wind farms can provide to rural communities. 

“This announcement is another demonstration of this.” 

The Ararat Wind Farm is the first major renewable energy project to be signed following restored bipartisan support for the RET. 

Ararat Wind Farm General Manager Stuart Little said the awarding of the contract is part of a continued commitment to work with local businesses, which will contribute significantly to the economy in the region. 

“We are delighted to be able to give local businesses opportunities through the wind farm construction and expect to continue to expand these over the coming months,” he said. 

Federal Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan said the investment in the local community was welcome.

“This project will now deliver jobs not only to Ararat but to Portland as well,” he said.

“It is vitally important that renewable energy projects use as much local content as possible.

“The contract to build 35 of the towers in Portland should lead to at least 30 new jobs at Keppel Prince.

“Businesses invest in rural and regional towns when they see the capacity for growth and a quality product.

“This project is an acknowledgement of the potential of our local manufacturers and businesses.”

General Manager of Renewables at GE Australia and New Zealand, Peter Cowling said the awarding of the contract means the consortium can press ahead with construction. 

“This wind farm is expected to inject $7-8 million into the local economy over the two-year construction period, and provide drought-proof income for land-owners for 25 years,” he said. 

It will become the third largest wind farm in Australia and is expected to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of around 123,000 homes per annum, or about six per cent of Victoria’s households.

Developed by RES Australia, the 240MW wind farm is being financed by shareholders RES, GE, Partners Group and OPTrust.