Monday 9 April 2012

Silverton’s windy prospect

theland.farmonline.com.au
29 Mar 2012

IT'S home to only 40 people, but Silverton in the NSW far west could one day be home to the biggest wind farm in the world, after AGL Energy purchased development rights for a 598 turbine project from Epuron last week. Broken Hill mayor Wincen Cuy said the region was iconic as a pioneering frontier and it was exciting that it could become a notable renewable energy hub.

Home to more than 3000 in the 1880s, Silverton, 25 km north-west of Broken Hill, could be given fresh impetus with up to 300 workers during construction of the wind farm and up to 15 permanent jobs. "Given our history of innovation and our role in industrialisation, as the foundation of BHP Billiton (Broken Hill Proprietary Limited, which is now BHP Billiton), it would be terrific if we can go into the future with wind farm and solar power and become world renowned for renewable energy", Cr Cuy said. "I think 85% of residents are in favour of it. From an economic point of view, most people think it's an opportunity. "One concern is how it'll look on the landscape, with our wide open space, but AGL Energy is keen on community consultation and getting people involved", he said.

AGL Energy general manager for business customers and power development Scott Thomas said although approval was in place for up to 598 turbines, the project would proceed in stages and AGL Energy would take on board community feedback about issues such as turbine numbers, size and placement. "I'd like to think what makes us different to other developers is that, as an energy retailer, we hope local residents will be our customers, and we see ourselves as being in that community for a long time", Mr Thomas said.

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