Crowlands Wind Farm

This project is under development

Following overwhelming public support and results from studies including environmental, historic and landscape values in the area, Pacific Hydro has applied to the Victorian Minister for Planning seeking planning approval for the Crowlands Wind Farm. The planning application for the Crowlands wind farm was heard by Planning Panels Victoria in 2008.

The Crowlands wind project, with a nominal capacity of up to 126 MW, is located near Ararat in western Victoria and it is expected to have annual generation equivalent to the electricity needs of up to 60,000* households - similar to the residential energy needs of all the homes in Ballarat and Bendigo.

Electricity produced from wind also saves the need for millions of litres of clean water normally used in coal-fired electricity production and abates significant carbon emissions.

Australian content over the life of the Crowlands project (through construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning) is anticipated at around $150 million.

Local benefits will flow from the project including job opportunities during construction, increased council revenue through rates from the project, funding of local programs through Pacific Hydro's Sustainable Communities Fund (which runs for the operating life of the project) as well as environmental programs and support of local activities.

Pacific Hydro has designed the Wind Farm and applied for approval of the project for its entire life-cycle; from project design and construction to decommissioning. While at this stage the focus is on the design, commitments during construction, operation and decommissioning of the project have been considered and planned for from the outset and included in the planning application.

This wind farm is a development site. Information about the project is based on anticipated outcomes from the planning and development process. The final design of the project is subject to variation.

 * based on average residential usage of 6MWh a year

** based on Victorian Government Policay and Planning Guidelines September 2009