Antinuclear

Victoria’s community wind farm launched

Hepburn Wind co-operative members will share in the proceeds of the sale of electricity and a portion of profits will be returned to the local area via a community sustainability fund. Through the fund, Hepburn Wind plans to provide more than $1 million for sustainability initiatives in the local community over the next 25 years.

Wind Farm erected , Eco Generation, 13 April 2011 Both turbines have now been erected at Australia’s first community-owned renewable energy project at Leonards Hill, 10 km south of Daylesford, Victoria.

The raising of the first turbine on 19 March was marked by a community picnic day, as approximately 300 co-operative members and families gathered to watch the spectacle.

The erection of the two REpower MM82 turbines is a milestone for the group who began work in 2005, who had a vision to build a wind farm for the benefit of the local area. To build the $13 million project, the wind farm’s 1,600 co-operative members have collectively invested more than $8.7 million, an indication of the local support for renewable energy.

When commissioning is completed in coming weeks, the 4.1 megawatt project is expected to offset the energy use of approximately 2,300 local homes, more than the number of homes in Daylesford.

Hepburn Wind has recently chosen Red Energy, a 100 per cent Australian–owned energy company as their energy retailing partner.

Hepburn Wind co-operative members will share in the proceeds of the sale of electricity and a portion of profits will be returned to the local area via a community sustainability fund. Through the fund, Hepburn Wind plans to provide more than $1 million for sustainability initiatives in the local community over the next 25 years.

Hepburn Wind Farm erected — EcoGeneration — The magazine for Australia’s clean energy industry

April 15, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | energy, Victoria