The Federal Government has approved the Yanco Delta wind farm project, marking another step towards establishing Australia as a renewable energy superpower.
The 1500-megawatt (MW) wind farm, to be situated 10km north-west of Jerilderie on a vast 33,000-hectare site, has been designed to power 700,000 homes in New South Wales.
The project includes the construction of 208 state-of-the-art wind turbines, an 800MW battery, and essential grid connection infrastructure. This move aligns with the government’s broader strategy to transition towards sustainable energy sources.
Underlining the urgency for such projects, Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek emphasised the detrimental impact a decade of political discord has had on climate change policies.
“Years of political fights over climate change have cost Australia big time. It meant emissions were higher for longer. It put renewable energy projects years behind,” Plibersek said.
The Yanco Delta wind farm is expected to contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with an estimated saving of nearly five million tonnes annually – equivalent to removing 1.5 million cars from the roads.
The Federal Government believes the wind farm has significant potential to drive economic growth at the local level, with projections indicating the creation of up to 300 jobs during the construction phase and 30 ongoing jobs.
“We want to unlock Australia’s potential to be a world leader in renewable energy,” Plibersek said. “It’s a huge task – we’re remaking our entire energy system.”
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