ACCIONA Energia is advancing its plans to build a 1 gigawatt (GW) wind farm about 30km south-east of Millmerran.

The Herries Range wind farm would comprise up to 176 wind turbine generators, a 22km transmission line to connect to the MacIntyre Intermediate Switching Station and other ancillary infrastructure.

ACCIONA proposes to start early works next year followed by full construction through to approximately 2027.

As a part of the construction activities, the company plans to use its blade-lifter to transport the oversized blades.

The blade-lifter technology allows for the adjustment of the angle of transport of the blade (anywhere up to 45 degrees vertically), to lift it into the air free of surrounding obstacles and thus minimising the requirement for vegetation clearing due to a reduced swept path.

It expects the project’s workforce will consist of about 650 staff, with the majority of workers (up to 550) housed in a construction workforce accommodation camp.

“ACCIONA is in a unique position whereby the project can connect to existing large-scale transmission infrastructure, and has the opportunity to reduce the project construction timeframes through efficiencies afforded by mobilising workforce, components and plant from the nearby MacIntyre Wind Farm once construction at that site is complete,” the company states on documents supporting its bid for environmental approvals.

The Herries Range wind farm is estimated to have an operational life of about 30 years and support up to 10 full-time roles.

Its referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act is open for public comment until July 17. (Details HERE)

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