A KEY supporter of the long-running proposal for a Walcha wind farm has said it’s “wonderful news” to hear of the latest step in the planned development.
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Energy Estate and MirusWind have announced a partnership to develop the Walcha Energy Project, which they say has the potential to generate 15 per cent of NSW’s electricity needs – ”more than the output of Liddell Power Station”.
It will combine wind, solar and pumped-storage hydroelectricity for up to 4000MW of renewable energy.
A key feature of the project will be a major renewable energy substation at Uralla, as the power generated is expected to exceed the capacity of the current grid.
If the development is approved, the proponents aim to start construction in 2020 and energy supply in 2022.
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Walcha councillor Peter Blomfield said: “It’s great for the community and for all those who are going to be involved”.
“It’s a very, very big renewable energy project and it will make such a difference to the Walcha community.”
MirusWind has been consulting with stakeholders such as property owners for more than a decade.
Cr Blomfield said “a very good agreement” had been struck for landholders who would host the infrastructure and “there’s also a very good community component to the whole deal”.
“When times are tough in the dry times, it’s obviously going to make a difference to people if they’ve got some off-farm cash coming in.”
Energy Estate chief advisor Simon Corbell said the proejct was “a leading example of how integrated renewable energy generation and storage zones are the next stage of Australia’s clean energy transition”.
MirusWind founder Mark Waring said the prononents “look forward to working with the community and region to bring this project quickly to fruition”.
The first community reaction was positive, readers telling Fairfax Media it was “a good idea” and “fantastic news for Walcha”.
The Leader has contacted Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson, Walcha mayor Eric Noakes and Uralla shire mayor Michael Pearce for comment.
