NSW wind farm plan to power 80,000 homes, save 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gas

Seventy new turbines planned for Collector, Goulburn Post, BY MADELINE HAYMAN,07 Nov, 2011 A SYDNEY company has planned the construction of almost 70 wind turbines in the vicinity of Collector. Brochures from energy provider RATCH Australia state that the Collector wind farm is now at stage five of the 10 stage approval process, and is currently being assessed under part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

“The proposed Collector wind farm is an important renewable energy project that will bring benefits to Collector, NSW and Australia,” RATCH Australia CEO Steve Loxton said. “The proposal is to build 69 wind turbines and associated electrical connections on the hills to the west of Collector. “Wind turbines are an efficient and cost effective way of generating clean, renewable electricity.

“Over its operating life the wind farm is expected to generate more than 10,000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy, equivalent to powering 80,000 homes per year for 25 years,” he said. Mr Loxton also said that the wind farm would save more than 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over its life time…..

“Economic benefits include the revenues earned by the businesses that we will rely on during the construction and operation of the project and by local landholders who are hosting turbines…..

“The local community will directly benefit through the employment opportunities that are generated by the project.”… Mr Loxton said. “As with any new development, there will be some aspects of the proposal that some people will object to. We are working with the community to minimise the impact of these aspects.” http://www.goulburnpost.com.au/news/local/news/general/seventy-new-turbines-planned-for-collector/2348948.aspx