Ark Energy has been granted planning approval from Tasmania’s Central Highlands Council for the 300MW St Patricks Plains Wind Farm, proposed for the state’s Central Highlands region.
Ark Energy general manager development for Tasmania Donna Bolton said, “The St Patricks Plains Wind Farm site is an excellent location for wind energy generation. Grid connection is onsite, residual environmental impacts can be managed and the wind resource is excellent.
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“This project will deliver much needed new renewable electricity generation to help Tasmania benefit from its world leading wind resource and achieve its renewable energy target, as well as bring a wide range of benefits for the local community and region.”
The St Patricks Plains Wind Farm has been in development since 2019 and has undergone several design iterations, including removal of 20 wind turbines to avoid environmental impacts, minimise visual impacts and address community concerns.
“We have worked hard to avoid and minimise potential environmental impacts, and the unavoidable environmental impacts are manageable, as shown by the EPA’s report,” Bolton said.
“The Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle has been a key species of focus. Proactive avoidance and the latest technology have been combined to achieve the least impact possible to Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles. Major design revisions have been made to avoid areas used by eagles and the Identiflight curtailment system will be installed across the site to minimise collision risk.
“We will continue to seek to minimise environmental impacts, be a good neighbour to those around the project area, and work diligently to deliver benefits from the project to the local community and wider region.”
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Ark Energy will now consider the conditions issued with the permit approval and awaits a final decision under the EPBC Act from the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
This is the first planning approval in Tasmania for Ark Energy and follows approval earlier this year for its 347MW Bowmans Creek Wind Farm to be located in the NSW Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone.
