The Hodgman Government’s vision is for Tasmania to become the renewable energy battery of the nation. Today we took another significant step forward with the Government, through Aurora Energy, and Goldwind reaching in principle agreement that will see a $300 million, 49 turbine wind farm developed at Wild Cattle Hill in the Central Highlands.
This is a massive investment for Tasmania, which will create 150 jobs during construction and around 10 ongoing jobs once construction is complete in 2020. The Hodgman Government will back the development of new renewable generation like Wild Cattle Hill because it will create jobs and grow the economy in regional Tasmania.
Once complete, the windfarm will generate 144 MW, enough to power over 60,000 homes and increase wind generation capacity in Tasmania by nearly 50 per cent.
This announcement comes just weeks after the Prime Minister and the Premier announced plans to consider additional investment in pumped hydro and other upgrades to boost Tasmania’s renewable energy output. We have a tremendous opportunity to capitalise on the building momentum for more renewable energy generation and the Hodgman Government is seizing it.
I hope to have more to say shortly about an exciting proposal for Granville Harbour.