Final tower, now comes the power

THE 128th turbine has been erected at the Waubra Wind Farm, marking the end of construction.But it will be at least another month before the wind farm is in full swing, with Acciona Energy hoping to have the facility commissioned in late July.Already, more than half of the turbines are operating and delivering electricity back to the grid.Construction manager Bruce Payne said the construction process had gone well, although it was help up by wind constraints.He said landowners had also been cooperative throughout the process.The wind farm is the biggest in the southern hemisphere and at night, its red lights are clearly visible north west of Ballarat.The first turbine was erected in January 2008, with turbines slowly being erected across an area stretching from Learmonth to Landsborough.Acciona Energy chief executive officer Brett Thomas said in completing the project, the team had reached a momentum milestone.The company is about to begin its operational phase and will employ 26 permanent facility technicians and several management personnel.The facility's environment management plan will also be adjusted for the operational phase, covering factors including flora, fauna and erosion.Now, the residents are planning for a wind farm festival to be held in Waubra later this year.Acciona Energy is also working on its plans for its second wind farm development, the Waubra North Wind Farm.