Collector Windfarm in Australia Undergoes Final Approval Phase

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources Australia (Perth, Australia)--Collector Windfarm, a project proposed by RATCH-Australia Pty Limited (New South Wales (NSW), Australia), is in the final stage of its approval process, following acceptance of the Collector Windfarm Preferred Project Report (PPR) by the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure. The company is seeking expressions of interest from suppliers and contractors for participation in the project.

Collector Windfarm was proposed by the company in 2009. The project will be located in the northwest of the town of Collector, between Collector Road and the Hume Highway, NSW.

RATCH-Australia has engaged APP Corporation (NSW) as a project manager for the windfarm. The company is assisting with the approvals phase of the project.

In March 2013, RATCH and APP held a community consultation to update the Collector Windfarm's community about major changes made to the original project proposal. One of these changes is a reduction in the number of wind turbines from 68 to 63, which was done to eliminate the impact of vegetation on that part of the site.

The proposal will involve the construction of a 330-kilovolt (kV) substation, very close to the existing Transgrid (Sydney, Australia) substation, which is near Hume Highway in Sydney. The construction will include a 35-kilometre underground cable that will connect the wind turbine to the substation.

Final development and planning approvals for the project are expected within six to seven months. Subject to final approvals, the Collector Windfarm will consist of wind turbines ranging in capacity from 2 to 3.4 megawatts (MW), which will produce between 126 and 214 MW of electricity.

An equipment supplier and a major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor will be selected following the approvals phase. Windfarm construction is expected to kick off by end of next year.

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