Tenders for the supply of turbines and balance of plant at the Crowlands Wind Farm Project are set to be announced.
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Wind power company Pacific Hydro started the project near Crowlands, with the turbines to be built within the Pyrenees Shire Council.
Ararat Rural City Council executive manager of planning and community health Neil Manning said the turbines would create jobs during the construction period.
“I think probably because we have got two big existing wind farms already, there is a fair chance some of the construction will come from Ararat,” he said.
“It is mainly in the Pyrenees Shire, but it is near Crowlands, so they would potentially use Ararat as a centre like the other wind farms.”
“The reality is those turbines do create jobs during construction periods.”
Businesses and contractors interested in working on the project can register their details online here.
The State Power Investment Corporation bought Pacific Hydro earlier this year.
Pacific Hydro chief executive Mike Fuge said the company had rapid growth aspirations following a review of its projects.
“The review process is coming to an end and strong endorsement from our new owners suggests that Crowlands will be the next cab off the rank, following commencement of construction at Yaloak South near, last month,” he said.
The project will see re-engagement with the community, final surveys and assessments completed in the next few months.
Mr Manning said sub-contractors for wind farm projects were often employed from the region the turbines were being built in.
“There are five or six jobs for the Ararat Wind Farm and we would expect something of a similar size for this,” he said.
“It is an ongoing thing for the community and a great decision.”
Mr Manning said council was yet to speak with State Power Investment Corporation.
“We have been trying to contact them since they changed hands because we would like to work as closely as possible with them,” he said.
“We don’t know too much about it other than the existing plans, which was a reduction in the total number of wind towers, we’d love to catch up and get some more information.”
