Construction at AGL's 200 MW Silverton wind farm is now set to begin, after a successful sale into the Powering Australian Renewables Fund (PARF).

“Achieving financial close on the development of the Silverton wind farm is a major project milestone and we are very thankful for the support we have received from the local community during the development phase,” said Project Manager Adam Mackett.

“Up to 150 jobs will be created during the peak of construction and we are excited about developing another project in the local area following the successful completion of the Broken Hill solar plant.

“The Silverton wind farm project is PARF’s first greenfield renewable development which further strengthens AGL’s credentials as Australia’s largest investor, developer and operator of renewables,” Adam said.

The PARF is a partnership between AGL, QIC and Australia’s Future Fund, which is targeting the development of approximately 1,000 MW of large-scale renewable energy projects.

AGL has also named a joint venture consisting of GE and CATCON as the successful tenderer for the engineering, procurement construction of the wind farm. AGL and GE/CATCON will develop the Silverton wind farm, which is targeted to be fully operational by mid-2018.

The $450 million project will provide a significant economic investment to the local region.

The 200 MW Silverton Wind Farm will produce approximately 780,000 MWh of renewable energy annually, which can power more than 137,000 average Australian homes.