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Aust'n state of Victoria gives green light to new 488 mln dollar wind farm

Xinhua, July 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Australian state of Victoria's transformation from coal power to clean energy was given another positive boost on Tuesday when the state government approved the plans for a new 488 US dollar wind farm.

The state, which has had a reliance on "dirty" brown coal power for much of the past century, has stated its ambition to promote renewable energy projects, such as the wind farm approved by the Andrews Labor Government on Tuesday.

The wind farm will have 96-turnbines, making it the state's largest, and will be located near Dundonnell, a district in Victoria's south-west.

The farm will generate enough power and clean energy for 140,000 houses per year, and will save gas emissions equivalent to removing 170,000 cars from Victorian roads.

The project is expected to create 300 construction jobs, with 16 operational positions to be continued once built.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the new project reflected the confidence in the future of renewable energies.

"There's nothing ugly about windfarms, because there's nothing ugly about jobs," Andrews said on Tuesday.

"The world is shifting to renewable energy and Victoria can't get left behind."

The approval of the new wind farm is further coup for the state government, as they try to embrace clean power and energy, through their commitment to end carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

The Andrews Government has under pressure to follow through on this pledge, by replacing one of Australia's "dirtiest" power plants known as Hazelwood with clean energy.

Earlier this year, the plant's French owner, ENGIE, said it was considering closing or selling Hazelwood as the state moves away from coal.

The state's Minister for Planning Richard Wynne said they approved the project after the government streamlined wind farm approvals early last year.

"Wind farms are expected to attract $35 billion (AUD) worth of investment nationally by 2020, which is great for jobs, the environment and protecting our way of life."

Trustpower will lead the project and is expected to begin construction within about 12 months. Enditem