A PROPOSED wind farm at Kiata could be finished quicker than originally anticipated.
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Wind farm developer Windlab has received an $8-million loan from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
Windlab chief executive Roger Price said the company would direct some of the money to the Kiata project.
“It will mean we can get it up and running more quickly than we otherwise would have,” he said.
“We are hoping to start construction before the end of the year.”
The company lodged a planning permit for the 13-turbine project in February.
Mr Price said the proposal was still with the Department of Planning.
“We have received a set of draft conditions and we expect to receive a planning approval within the next few weeks,” he said.
The proposed wind farm will be about five kilometres south of Kiata.
It will provide enough energy to power more than 23,000 homes.
Mr Price said the Kiata community had been supportive of the project.
“We have consulted widely and we have almost unanimous support for the project,” he said.
“Nearly everyone in the area is viewing it favourably.”
Windlab opened its Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm earlier this month, which is 80 kilometres north-west of Bendigo.
The six-turbine farm will supply power to homes at St Arnaud and Charlton.
“The project was completed on time at the end of March, and while it is a little bit smaller than the Kiata project, we hope for a similar outcome,” Mr Price said.
“We hope to duplicate the success of the Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm in the Wimmera.”
Windlab project manager Matthew Parton said construction at Kiata would lead to 70 jobs and a $4-million boost to the region’s economy.
“When rates to council, wages for permanent jobs and rental of land are tallied, it is expected the region will see a direct boost of up to $12 million during its 25-year operational life,” he said.
“We will seek to maximise the use of regional business and contractors in the construction and operation of the wind farm.
“We will publish information for the region’s contractors to ensure their content can be used where possible.”