Renewable energy developer, CWP Renewables, has announced it will commence construction of its fourth large-scale wind farm for NSW, which will provide enough electricity to power over 100,000 NSW households annually.
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The $500 million 244-megawatt Bango Wind Farm, to be located near Boorowa and Rye Park, will comprise 46 x GE 5.3-megawatt (MW) wind turbine generators and is to be constructed by GE Renewable Energy and Downer.
According to CWP Renewables, more than 200 jobs will be created during the 22 month-long construction phase and a further 20 jobs in its ongoing operations.
CWP Renewables' Chief Operating Officer and Head of Development, Ed Mounsey, said he was delighted to have reached this milestone after over a decade of development.
"It's great to see the Bango project come to fruition and for the flow on economic benefits spread to regional towns like Yass and Boorowa which will benefit significantly during the 22-month construction phase," Mr Mounsey said.
Scaled back plans for the project were approved by the state's Independent Planning Commission (IPC) in May last year, despite a number of objections from Boorowa and Rye Park residents.
Bango Wind Farm Pty Ltd had originally sought permission from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to establish up to 122 wind turbines in three clusters between Boorowa and Yass.
The company subsequently amended its plans to include a maximum of 75 turbines to lessen the wind farm's amenity and biodiversity impacts.
The department subsequently recommended that four more turbines be removed to reduce visual effects on residents, resulting in 71 turbines recommended for approval.
Once operational, Bango Wind Farm will generate over 740 GWh of energy annually, which is enough to serve over 100,000 homes, and offset over 600,000 tonnes of carbon emissions during every year of operation.
Snowy Hydro has purchased 100 MW of this capacity under a 15-year power purchase agreement to support the growth of its business.