A $600 million wind farm project could be established in the Merredin Shire.
An application to establish the plant has been lodged with the shire.
The project will employ up to 200 people during the construction stage and between five and 15 people for permanent maintenance of the towers.
The project is expected to save about 1.1 million tonnes of greenhouse gases when compared to coal power generation and the cost of the project is expected to be $600 million.
It is estimated that up to $30 million will be injected directly into the local community.
Merredin Shire chief executive officer Frank Ludovico said work was expected to start in June next year with an 18 to 24 month construction schedule.
Investec Bank (Australia) Limited is the project developer in a joint venture with Windlab Systems.
The project is for the establishment of a 127 wind turbines on farm land in the Collgar area south of Burracoppin.
Mr Ludovico said in late 2006, Windlab Systems approached the Merredin Shire to discuss the installation of wind monitoring sites.
“At the February 2007 meeting, council granted development consent to the establishment of those wind monitoring site,” he said.
“Since then, there has been continuing consultation regarding this project including roads, environment, employment, noise and visual issues, tourism vantages, development application requirements and accessing local trades and facilities for the development and housing of employees.
“In June this year, council approved two additional wind monitoring sites.”
The monitoring has proven the feasibility of establishing 127 wind generation turbine towers with the capacity to generate up to 267 megawatts of power, enough to power about 160,000 households per annum.
Each wind generator tower is 80 metres tall with the 50 metre radius blades giving an overall height of 130 metres.
The Merredin Shire is required to advertise the development before final approval is given and advertisements appeared in the Wheatbelt Mercury last week. The closing date for submission is Friday, September 12.
Investec is also in the process of obtaining other necessary approvals and will be conducting a public meeting this Saturday at 10am at the Merredin Regional Community and Leisure Centre.
Mr Ludovico said council was supportive of the project as it would be a boon to the district and actively contribute to reducing green house gas emissions.
In a study in Geographical Research published by Wiley-Blackwell, it was found wind farms have a negative impact on landscapes with a high scenic quality, but a positive effect on dull and mundane
landscapes.
Author Dr. Andrew Lothian said while people may be apathetic to the appearance of wind farms, their location is critical.
“Wind farms in scenic areas, particularly the coastal areas, are regarded as damaging to the landscape,” he said.
“However, in agricultural areas of low scenic quality, wind farms seem to beautify the otherwise mediocre surroundings.”