The South Australian Government has announced it has granted final approval for the construction of the state’s largest windfarm.

 

The $900 million, 105-turbine development will be constructed by Investec Bank Australia and will be built 15 kilometres from Jamestown, in the state’s south east.

 

“The application was approved after consultation with the relevant government agencies, consideration of public submissions and detailed advice from the Development Assessment Commission, an independent statutory authority,” Deputy Premier John Rau said.

 

South Australia is broadly considered to be the country’s national leader in renewable energy, with over half of the country’s winder generation generated in the state and 20 per cent of the state’s electricity supplied by wind energy.

 

State Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Tom Koutsantonis said the project will create up to 250 local construction jobs – while providing clean renewable energy directed into the national grid.

 

“The proposed 315 Megawatt wind farm will have up to 105 turbines – which will generate 1,050,000 Megawatt hours per year, enough to power 180,000 homes,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

 

“This development has the potential to save 1.25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. That’s the equivalent of taking 290,000 cars off the road each year.”