The Sapphire Wind Farm, 18km west of Glen Innes, has been announced as the latest successful proponent from the ACT government’s series of wind auctions, a process designed to rapidly increase the amount of  electricity the ACT buys from wind farms.

Sapphire’s success comes after the ACT government called for bids in August of last year to power up to 106,000 Canberra homes, seeking 200 megawatts in new capacity to come online within three years.

The Glen Innes project has been awarded a feed-in-tariff of $89.10 per mW/h for 100 megawatts of capacity, and is being developed by CWP Renewables.  

The wind farm is due for completion in April 2018, using up to 32 large wind turbines.

CWP Renewables managing director Alex Hewitt said the auction result had allowed commencement of construction of what would be the largest wind farm in NSW. 

Kylie Hargreaves, deputy secretary of the NSW Division of Resources and Energy, welcomed the ACT government’s announcement of its investment in the Sapphire project, saying it would inject considerable funds into the local community and create employment during the construction and operational phases.

“This 260 MW wind farm will help the ACT meet its 90 per cent renewable energy target,” Ms Hargreaves said.

“The construction phase alone will create more than 250 jobs and the project will provide energy that can supply up to 110,000 households.

“It allows the local community to invest up to $10 million in a community shared-ownership model which is a first for NSW.

“The construction of the Sapphire Wind Farm continues to contribute to NSW’s energy security and the financial security of the people of the Northern Tablelands.”

ACT environment minister Simon Corbell said by the time Sapphire started producing energy in 2018, the ACT would be sourcing 80 per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources.