Pacific Hydro to seek permit for Nilgen Wind Farm

Leading Australian renewable energy company Pacific Hydro will seek a planning permit for a new proposed wind farm at Nilgen that will provide enough clean, green energy to power 53,000 homes.

Pacific Hydro communications manager, Emily Wood said that the site had been selected following an extensive period of investigation which has included community consultation and studies into the local environment and wind regime.

The proposed wind farm site is located on agricultural land approximately 10km east of Lancelin. The site runs 10km from Dingo Rd in the north to just north of Sappers Rd in the south.

The wind farm application will seek approval for a maximum of 53 generators with a total capacity of up to 132.5MW. At this size the wind farm will produce enough zero emission energy to power the equivalent needs of around 53,000 homes, abating up to 500,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas each year.

"Working with residents who live in neighbouring communities has been an important part of our process," Ms Wood said.

"Comments from community members together with environmental, landscape and wind studies of the area have encouraged us to seek a permit for the project."

Pacific Hydro plans to submit the application to the Gingin Shire Council in the coming weeks.

Once the planning application is placed on public display, the community will have at least three weeks to review and comment on the proposal. Pacific Hydro is committed to continuing to work with local residents as the project progresses.