$1bn wind farm and battery storage project proposed to be built in VIC

Neoen Australia has proposed a $1 billion renewable energy project to be built mainly on a pine plantation near Portland in Victoria. The 900MW wind farm and battery storage project is set to become the first and the largest of its kind to be built in Australia.

The Kentbruck Green Power Hub is going to be developed on Green Triangle Forest Products’ (GTFP) pine forest and the development site located between Portland and Nelson will span approximately 30 kilometres.

“It’s unique in so much as… there’s nothing in the country at all where you’ve got wind towers in amongst a commercial tree farm.

“It’s a big project and very exciting project,” GTFP Managing Director Laurie Hein said.

With the project still in its early planning stages, Neoen will continue engaging with the community to get feedback on the development and address any concerns early on.

“All our projects aim to protect, retain and restore natural resources and the environment.

“As part of our environment impact studies for the Kentbruck project, we will enlist independent experts and consultants to carry out detailed ecological assessments to ensure the proposed development does not threaten or destroy surrounding fauna during and after construction,” Neoen Australia Managing Director Franck Woitiez said.

More details on the project will be released once plans have been finalised.

Construction on the Kentbruck Green Power Hub is anticipated to commence in 2021, but is still subject to necessary approvals.

What are your thoughts on this proposed billion dollar renewable energy project? Let us know in the comments section below.

Source: Renew Economy; The Standard News; ABC South East SA