Bourke's energy future is blowing in the wind

Western Herald
Thursday 22/2/2007 Page: 1

A wind farm on Mount Oxley is close to becoming a reality. Babcock and Brown, the company proposing the $30 million wind farm, are expecting to begin' the development application process within months.

The company plans to place seven 3-megawatt turbines on top of Mount Oxley. These generators will supply more than enough power for the town, making Bourke one of the few places in the world powered entirely by renewable energy.

Adrian Rizza from Babcock and Brown said Mount Oxley is a very unique wind resource. Wind travels slowly along the flat plains, but accelerates as it rises up the sides of the mountain. Babcock and Brown are waiting for the final report on the impact the wind farm may have on telecommunications equipment on Mount Oxley. The study should be finalised within two to three weeks.

The next step is to build an 80 metre high tower to monitor wind speed at the same height they plan to build the turbines, then submit a development application for the whole project around six weeks later.

While building other wind farms, Mr Rizza said they found the construction phase provided a significant boost to the local economy. "There is a lot of work for local contractors - there's fencing work, there's survey work, concreting and transport work - we've found it is a huge boost," Mr Rizza said.

The wind farm will be operational around 15 months after construction begins.