The project, located between Inverell and Glen Innes has been awarded a feed-in-tariff of $89.10 per megawatt hour for 100 megawatt capacity.

Managing Director of CWP Renewables Alex Hewitt said the Sapphire Wind farm will power 48,600 Canberra homes by using up to 32 large wind turbines.

“We will commence construction of the 260MW Sapphire Wind Farm later this year which when fully built will be the largest wind farm in NSW,” he  said.

“Sapphire Wind Farm will generate enough clean energy to power 110,000 homes and offset over 600,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year once constructed.

“In the ACT we will be establishing an operations hub to manage wind and solar farms in Australia and Asia and we will be also establishing partnerships with learning institutions and smart technology providers, driving innovation and growth in the renewable energy industry.”

Business in Glen president Jim Ritchie renewed calls for local businesses to tender for projects associated with the three local wind farms.

“The wind farm developers are indicating that their preference is to support local businesses and contractors,” he said.  

“We strongly recommend that businesses register their interest as the more local businesses that benefit from these developments will see an ongoing benefit to our local economy."

Chief Operating Officer CWP Renewables Ed Mounsey echoed Mr Ritchie’s call and said CWP aims to have strong local community engagement by offering a benefit sharing scheme.

“Locally, we are offering the community an investment opportunity in the wind farm, and establishing a benefit sharing scheme in line with our strong commitment to community engagement,” he said.

“Construction of the project will generate over 250 full time equivalent jobs and regional investment. 

“The community fund that will also be established will deliver ongoing investment while the project is generating clean energy and we look forward to working with the community to realise the benefits of the project.