The Cullerin Range Wind Farm has received Development Consent from NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor.

The Cullerin Range Wind Farm will be located 12km to the east of Gunning, NSW on the Cullerin Range and will comprise up to 15 wind turbines for a capacity of up to 30 MW.

Over a typical year, the Cullerin Range Wind Farm will supply up to 12,000 homes in NSW with clean renewable electricity. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 95,000 tonnes per year – the equivalent of removing 19,000 cars from our roads.

Importantly, the approval includes a contribution of $25,000 per annum for community projects for the benefit of local residents.

“We are pleased with the level of support from the local community in the Cullerin region. We look forward to working with the community as we bring this important project to reality” said Andrew Durran.

“This is a positive outcome for both the local community and the rest of NSW” said Martin Poole. “Around $10 Million will be spent in the local region over the life of the project, which is regional investment creating regional jobs. In addition, Epuron has committed to annual funding to help support local community projects.”

The success of the project will rely on the new Renewable Energy Target announced by the NSW Government. Final wind farm design works will now be undertaken to allow construction to commence in 2008 and with full operation planned in 2009.