The Bald Hills wind farm in South Gippsland has moved a step closer after an engineering, procurement and construction contract was finalised between Mitsui & Co (Australia) Ltd. and Suzlon Group subsidiary REpower Systems SE.

The Bald Hills wind farm near Tarwin Lower will consist of 52 wind turbines with a total output of 106.6 MW. It will join nearby wind farms in Toora and Wonthaggi.

Wind energy is Victoria’s key renewable energy resource. Wind farms have a significant role to play in Australia’s energy mix as it transitions from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.

Wind energy is central to our efforts to address climate change. Once operational, this farm will produce enough clean electricity to power 52,000 Victorian homes and avoid 315,400 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

Wind farms are good for the economy and our environment. They create good jobs and drought-proof income for regional communities. Based on Sinclair Knight Merz analysis, the Bald Hills wind farm will:

• Create 96 construction jobs and ten ongoing positions for the 30 life of the project.
• Generate $500,000 worth of income for turbine hosts.
• Deliver $2.4 million worth of flow on benefit to the regional economy.

Victoria’s wind energy sector has been hit hard by the Coalition government. In 2011, then Premier Baillieu introduced the world’s strictest wind farm planning laws.

The Napthine government’s anti-wind farm laws make it virtually impossible to get new wind energy projects underway. The laws will prevent South Gippsland from benefitting from wind farm jobs and investment for the forseeable future.

The Labor party has promised to ‘rip up’ the anti-wind farm laws if they are elected. It’s time for the Coalition to show leadership and restore fair laws for wind farms in Victoria.