A Victoria wind project is seeking approval to changes to its layout, turbine numbers and size as it seeks a work around to restrictive conditions imposed by the state government more than three year ago.
The 350 megawatt Willatook wind project, near Orford in south-west Victoria and about 20 kms north of Port Fairy, has faced stiff opposition from members of the local community and had provisions placed on its state planning approval that had been described as “unworkable” by the Clean Energy Council.
But the project, developed by Wind Prospect and now also being led by Engie Australia, which has an option to purchase, was a winner of one of the federal government’s Capacity Investment Scheme tenders this year and has proposed some significant changes to address some of the impacts, particularly on the southern bent-wing bat.
Among the proposed changes are a relocation of some turbines – away from wetlands and other sensitive areas – and a cut in turbine numbers from 59 to 52.
The developers are also seeking permission to lift both the minimum and maximum hub heights of the turbines, reduce the blade rotor diameter and increase minimum blade tip clearance from 40 metres to 60 metres above ground level.
