The project has substantial environmental benefits including:
- Minimal impact on the productivity of traditional farming activities
- The land can be rehabilitated to its original condition at the end of the project when all above ground infrastructure is removed
- Smaller environmental footprint than comparative forms of generation
- Additional fire breaks and improved access roads for firefighting
- Will generate approximately 613,000 MWh per year* which is enough clean renewable energy to power approximately 118,000 South Australia homes**
- ~180,000 tonnes CO2 saver per year ***
- Additional energy supplies to help meet the growing demands in South Australia
* calculation -> 50 turbines x 3.5 MW power rating x 24hrs per day x 365 days per year x 40% capacity factor= 613,200 MWh per year (subject to final site design and technology selection)
** assuming annual average household consumption is 5,200 KWh
*** compared to brown coal electricity generation carbon factor of 0.0336 tonnes per MWh (Source: Department of the Environment National Inventory Report)