Iberdrola has committed to the construction of the 145MW Flyers Creek wind farm in Australia.
The project, located near Orange in central-west New South Wales, is expected to generate approximately 450 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, equivalent to powering more than 80,000 Australian households and avoiding over 330,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Construction works are expected to begin in March 2022 and will include the installation of 38 wind turbines and related balance of plant.
Iberdrola said the project will create 230 jobs during construction, and an estimated 6-8 permanent regional jobs throughout its operational life.
The developer added that it will also establish a community benefit fund, which will receive its first contribution with the start of construction and be administered by Blayney Shire Council.
Iberdrola Australia chief executive officer and managing director Ross Rolfe said: “We are delighted to be progressing with the construction of Flyers Creek Wind Farm.
“The project will make a meaningful contribution to economic development in and around Blayney Shire and Cabonne Shire.
“We’d like to thank our local communities and landholders for their support and we look forward to working closely with them in the future.
“Once complete, Flyers Creek Wind Farm will be dispatched as part of Iberdrola Australia’s renewable energy portfolio, one of the largest and fastest growing renewable portfolios in the National Electricity Market.
“The output of the plant will be sold to Australian businesses and enterprises, helping them achieve their sustainability goals.”
Since entering the Australian market in 2019, Iberdrola has invested in Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park in South Australia as well as Avonlie Solar Farm, Wallgrove Grid Battery, and Flyers Creek Wind Farm, all located in New South Wales.
Iberdrola said that these projects will add approximately 760MW of renewable capacity to the national electricity market and represent a capital commitment in excess of €644m.