The federal government has approved the construction of a wind farm off the coast of South West WA.  

Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced that the project will proceed however, it will now only cover about 4,000 square kilometers, half the size originally planned. The wind farm is expected to generate up to 11.4 gigawatts of energy, helping meet WA’s future energy needs. 

Bowen explained that one wind turbine can produce as much energy as solar panels used all day and can turn up to 15 times per minute. The wind farm will be located 41 km from Bunbury and 55 km from Busselton. Many groups, including environmental organizations and unions, support the project. 

The government is now inviting companies to apply for permits to assess the project’s impact and consult with the community. Applications are due by November 6. Meanwhile, some politicians are calling for more environmental studies and have raised concerns about the consultation process. The Senate is set to investigate how well the community was engaged. 

Source: Link 

Date of Publication: 03 September 2024