The Queensland Government has approved a $128 million wind farm in the South Burnett regional area.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick, said that the wind farm is expected to be operational by next year.

“The Queensland Government is committed to supporting investment in regional Queensland and renewable energy projects,” Mr Dick said.

“During construction, 100 new jobs will be created and there will be a further five ongoing jobs once the wind farm is operational.

“It’s a huge jobs boost for the area and will help us achieve our renewable energy target.”

Mr Dick said, once complete, the 64MW wind farm would be the second one in operation in the area with Coopers Gap initially approved in 2017.

“Wind farms don’t just provide an economic boost for the state, the environmental benefits are equally important,” Mr Dick said.

“As more people call Queensland home, we need to continue to support sustainable ways to provide power to existing and new houses and businesses.

“This project will deliver 16 new turbines and, coupled with the 123 turbines in nearby Coopers Gap, that’s nearly 140 turbines delivering power to the region.”

Queensland Minister for Energy, Dr Anthony Lynham, said that this project added to the state’s numerous renewable projects, placing further downward pressure on electricity prices and taking the state closer to its renewables target of 50 per cent by 2030.

“Queensland’s renewable revolution is full steam ahead and we continue to show the way for the rest of the nation,” Dr Lynham said.

“This project is one part of over $1.6 billion worth of renewable energy investment underway or recently operating in the Darling Downs and South West regions, creating more than 1000 jobs in construction and 860MW of renewable generation capacity.”

A spokesperson for Australia Energy Wind Farm said construction would commence as early as March 2020.

“Once constructed the wind farm is expected to generate enough energy to power the equivalent of around 35,000 homes and will reduce carbon dioxide output by an estimated 150,000 tonnes each year.

“Wind farm technology has significantly advanced during recent years, and the 16 turbines on site will each produce between 4-5.5MW of energy.

“Before operations commence, we will be upgrading local roads leading to the site and delivering the associated infrastructure such as a substation.”