AusNet services to develop terminal station for Pacific Hydro’s crowlands wind farm

AusNet Services (ASX: AST) announces today that agreement has been secured with Pacific Hydro to develop a new transmission connection for the 80 MW Crowlands Wind Farm project in the Pyrenees Shire Council in western Victoria, near Avoca.

Once fully commissioned, the wind farm will comprise 39 turbines with total capacity of 80 MW, and produce clean energy equivalent to the yearly needs of approximately 50,000 Victorian homes.

The terminal station will connect the wind farm into AusNet Services’ Victorian transmission network.

The Crowlands Wind Farm project is anticipated to create approximately 140 jobs during construction, with eight ongoing maintenance jobs in addition to ongoing initiatives to encourage local suppliers and businesses to provide services to the project wherever possible.

AusNet Services’ Executive General Manager Commercial Energy Services, Chad Hymas, said AusNet Services was committed to supporting wind farm development and renewable energy in Australia.

“This is an exciting time to be in the renewable energy sector. We are proud to partner with Pacific Hydro, and together, collectively progress in building Australia’s renewable energy future.

It’s very rewarding to be part of an initiative that simultaneously boosts the local economy while also helping the environment,” Mr Hymas said.

The agreement follows an extensive period of collaborative planning and design between AusNet Services and Pacific Hydro in conjunction with industry and state planning bodies.

Mr Hymas said the project, one of several significant wins for AusNet Services this financial year, represents a further step in the business’s strategy to be a leading energy company with a growing contracted asset base generating attractive long-term returns.