The Macarthur wind farm is one-of-a-kind due to the fact that it is able to produce more than enough clean energy in order to run close to 220,000 standard Victorian households while saving almost 1.5 million tonnes in greenhouse gases each year.

The farm has 140 3MW turbines producing 420MW, making it the biggest farm in the Southern Hemisphere and is jointly owned by AGL Energy Limited and Malakoff Corporation Berhand.

Macarthur wind farm producing energy for 220,000 homes

Located 16km East from Macarthur (inbetween Hamilton and Warnambool, South West Victoria), the property stretches over almost 5, 500 hectares of freehold agricultural land.

The development of the Macarthur wind farm took almost two-and-a-half years to be completed and has been operational since January 2013.

Vestas (alongside Leighton Contractors), the world’s leading manufacturer of wind turbines, were contracted by AGL to design and building the wind farm. Vestas are known for their technologically advanced products, quality and authenticity which allowed them to complete the wind energy project successfully as well as to maintain the Macarthur farm in the long run.

Inherent wind energy noise issue addressed by AGL in accordance with permit

AGL has ensured that Macarthur wind farm will operate in accordance with all requirements detailed within the planning permit. As it stands, more than 40, 000 hours of noise monitoring have been tested at the farm, which is more than the required amount set out in the planning permit.

All noise monitoring results received from thirteen neighbouring households have indicated that the farm is in line with noise requirements within the planning permit. The stringent noise regulations deatiled by the government regarding the farm work hand in hand with those guidelines set out by the World Health Organisation.

AGL must also complete two rounds of noise monitoring across various areas around the farm, in order to comply with what’s been set out within the planning permit. The first round was held during early 2013, whereby compliance was achieved. At the moment AGL is working with external contractors to aid in finalising the final round of noise monitoring which began in 2014.

Photo courtesy of David Clarke on Flickr