$4.2 million for Mt Barker wind farm

Western Australia’s renewable energy capacity has been boosted with the announcement of $4.2 million in funding for the Mt Barker wind farm.

“Australia has some of the world’s best wind resources and I am delighted that more West Australians will be able to source renewable energy locally from the Mt Barker wind farm,” the Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, said.

“If we’re going to be serious about lowering our emissions and producing more clean energy, then wind has a key role to play.

“Currently, Australia has 50 wind farms, with an installed capacity of 1306 megawatts, and the Mt Barker wind farm will play a role in delivering 20% of Australia’s electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020.

“The three turbines at Mt Barker will generate around 8400 megawatt hours of electricity each year, and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 8000 tonnes annually.”

Garrett said the Mt Barker wind farm will be funded under the Australian government’s Renewable Remote Power Generation Program and administered by the Sustainable Energy Development Office in Western Australia.

Western Australia has 17 wind farms — five connected to the main electricity grid and 12 supplying renewable energy directly to local communities and business.

The wind farm comprises three 800 kilowatt wind turbines and will be located 4 km north of Mt Barker on the western side of the Albany Highway.

Wind turbines capture wind energy within the area swept by their blades and the blades drive an electrical generator to produce power which is fed into the grid. The Australian government is working with the states and territories on a set of national guidelines for wind farms.