New wind farm to power 700,000 homes

The Federal Labor Government has approved one of the largest clean energy projects in the country.

The 1500 megawatt Yanco Delta Wind farm will generate enough energy to power 700,000 homes in New South Wales.

The project, located 10 kilometres north-west of Jerilderie on a 33,000-hectare site in the Murrumbidgee and Edward River Local Government Areas, includes the construction of 208 wind turbines, an 800 megawatt battery and grid connection infrastructure.

This is another big step in the Government’s plan to make Australia a renewable energy superpower.

Australians saw how a decade of political fights stopped action on climate change. At the last election, they voted for an end to this. That’s exactly what Labor has delivered.

Under the Liberals and Nationals, 24 coal plants with a total capacity of 26.7 GW announced their closure dates, but the previous government failed to deliver any policy to ensure replacement capacity.

The project will save up to nearly 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year, which is equivalent to taking 1.5 million cars off the road.

We know projects like this are vital to boosting renewables, but they are also great for local jobs and economies. This project will support up to 300 jobs in construction and 30 ongoing jobs.

The project has been approved under Australia’s environment law after careful assessment of the environmental impacts. It is able to proceed with strict conditions to protect nationally protected threatened species including the superb parrot and the plains-wanderer.

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

“Years of political fights over climate change have cost Australia big time. It meant emissions were higher for longer. It put renewable energy projects years behind.

“We want to unlock Australia’s potential to be a world leader in renewable energy. It’s a huge task – we’re remaking our entire energy system.

“Our government has shown just how bright Australia’s future can be when there’s less political fighting and more action on climate change.”