Moreland, a big fan of renewable energy (Media release)

Construction has begun on the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project’s Crowlands Wind Farm.

Moreland is one of 14 organisations who have added their purchasing power together to support the new wind farm, near Ararat, which will be owned and operated by Melbourne-based clean energy company Pacific Hydro.

When Crowlands Wind Farm is constructed and operational in January next year, the 39 turbines will provide all the electricity for Council’s corporate operations as an MREP partner.

The first major components are starting to arrive in Australia including massive turbine blades that have travelled all the way from the manufacturer in Portugal.
The blades are 43m long and weigh eight tonnes each. When installed, the blade tips will reach 146m off the ground.

Eight concrete foundations for the turbines have also been completed, with each foundation using more than 750 tonnes of concrete – more than 50 truckloads.
Members (including Merri-bek) have committed to purchase 88 GWh of electricity each year under a long-term power-purchase agreement.

The farm will generate more electricity than the purchasing group’s needs, so it will bring extra renewable energy into the market.

Moreland Deputy Mayor Natalie Abboud said she was proud that Merri-bek was part of this leading sustainability project.

“Purchasing all of our electricity from the Crowlands Wind Farm under MREP will save Council nearly 8,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year,” Cr Abboud said.

“As well as economic value, it’s a great example of Merri-bek being an innovative council.”

 31 August 2018