Renewable energy company Pacific Hydro has welcomed the decision by the South Australian Government to approve the Keyneton Wind Farm, located in the Mid Murray Council area, about two hours drive from Adelaide.
The wind farm has been approved with up to 42 turbines and is expected to have a capacity of around 100MW.
The company’s general manager Australia Lane Crockett said the project meets all planning guidelines.
“This approval confirms yet again that South Australia is a global clean energy leader and is living proof the transition to a clean energy future is not only possible, but highly desirable,” he said.
Pacific Hydro, which has interests in large-scale wind, hydro, solar photovoltaic and geothermal, expects up to 40 per cent of the total project capital value of $200 million will be spent in South Australia.
The next stage of the process will include extensive consultation with the local community and a detailed feasibility analysis.
“There is still a lot of work to do, including meeting the conditions under which the permit has been granted as well as confirming a connection and finalising commercial feasibility, which will be directly affected by the outcome of the scheduled review of the Renewable Energy Target in 2014,” Mr Crockett said.
“We especially acknowledge that some members of the local community are anxious about the potential impact that this wind farm may have on them. We recognise it is our responsibility to create a collaborative way forward to work with the local community to understand and try and resolve their concerns.
“We also want to find ways to share value from the wind farm with the local community as it is further developed.”
