AGL Energy Limited (AGL) and Meridian Energy (Meridian) have announced an agreement to build a 420 megawatt wind farm at Macarthur in Victoria.
Slated for completion in early 2013, the $1 billion Macarthur Wind Farm, situated near Hamilton, 260 kilometres west of Melbourne, will be largest facility in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest in the world.
The wind farm will use 140 three-megawatt wind turbines and will have the capacity to supply clean, renewable power to over 220,000 average Victorian homes. Greenhouse gas abatement through the project is expected to exceed 1.7 million tonnes annually – the equivalent of taking more than 420,000 cars off the road each year.
The project will be formally launched today in Melbourne by the Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, and the Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water, Senator Penny Wong.
"This $1 billion project will help cut emissions, create new jobs and provide clean energy for Victorians. Attracting a renewable project of this scale to Victoria is yet another example of how Victoria is leading the way towards a clean energy future," said Mr. Brumby.
AGL and Meridian will each fund 50% of the capital cost of constructing the wind farm. 400 direct jobs will be generated at the peak of construction, as well as another 800 indirect jobs, plus ongoing employment for around 30 full time staff for 25 years following construction.
AGL says direct construction related spending in the region is estimated to be approximately $245 million between 2010 and 2013, with regional construction project to add around 1.5% to the Gross Regional Product in 2013.
