Construction of the Mt Gellibrand wind farm is powering ahead, with up to three turbines to be erected each week until completion thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s renewable energy policy.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio visited the site of the new windfarm near Colac today, which is set to begin commercial operations in July.

More than 150 people are involved in its construction, with up to 10 ongoing operations and maintenance roles.

Developed by ACCIONA Energy, the 132MW wind farm was the successful recipient of the Labor Government’s first round of tenders, as part of the Renewable Certificate Purchasing Initiative.

Located 17 kilometres west of Winchelsea, the farm will be home to 44 wind turbines, each reaching a height of 150 metres once the 60-metres blades are attached.

Western Victoria is currently seeing a jobs boom with six projects underway or proposed in the area.

These include Stockyard Hill, Lal Lal, Moorabool, Dundonnell, Murra Warra, the Bulgana Green Power Hub – Stawell Nectar Farms, as well as the Government’s other Renewable Certificate Purchasing Initiative (RCPI) contract – the Kiata Windfarm in Horsham.

The RCPI supports the Labor Government’s renewable energy and climate change targets by bringing around 300MW of new renewable energy generation into the grid – driving down prices and helping secure our energy supply.

These targets will see an estimated $9 billion of investment and around 11,000 construction jobs created in Victoria’s renewable energy sector over the period of the scheme.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“We’re supporting the renewables sector to create local jobs and deliver affordable clean energy.”

“We’ve backed the Mt Gellibrand Wind Farm every step of the way – because we’re making Victoria the national leader in renewable energy to drive down energy prices, create jobs and reduce emissions.”

Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney

“This project has already seen the creation of 150 new jobs for the area, which will continue to reap the benefits of this investment for years to come.”

Quote attributable to ACCIONA Energy Australia Managing Director Brett Wickham

“We were delighted to host Minister D’Ambrosio today. She is a strong advocate for the renewables sector, and it’s great to see that Victoria is powering ahead with its transition to cleaner forms of energy.”