Construction work has begun on what will become New South Wales’s biggest wind farm project at a site near Monaro site in the state’s southeast.
The first two foundations for a total of 67 wind turbines have been poured this week at Boco Rock, between Nimmitabel and Bombala.
Wind Prospect Continental Wind Partners’ head of development, Ed Mounsey, told ABC Radio News the first turbine should be in place later this year.
He said the project would be fully operational by February of next year.
“Things have been going rather well,” Mr Mounsey said.
“Typical construction issues generally revolve around weather events and interestingly we have had some wet weather earlier in 2013 when we were constructing.
“But more recently some hot weather events have delayed some of the foundation pours so we’ve been held back a little bit on that, but certainly to no detriment to the overall program.”
Mr Mounsey said the company was continuing to consult with the community and was pleased with progress so far.
“The first turbine raised should be in quarter two, quarter three this year,” he said.
“I haven’t got exact dates for that.
“But in terms of the broad program for the project, it will be fully operation in February 2015 so just 12 months away from all 67 turbines being up and spinning.”
In addition to generating some 113MW of clean, renewable electricity, enough to supply at least 40,000 homes, bringing the Boco Rock Wind Farm project to fruition will result in the avoidance of some 300,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions as compared to coal-fired power generation.
