An Ararat wind farm in Victoria is now generating enough power for 37,000 Canberra homes as the ACT continues towards its target of 100 per cent renewable energy.
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The 75 wind turbines will generate 272,000 megawatt-hours, with the farm under contract to provide 40 per cent of generated power to the Australian Capital Territory.
Overall, the turbines could power 120,000 homes.
The Ararat Wind Farm, operated by the Canberra-company Windlab, is the sixth large-scale renewable energy generator to be supported by the ACT government.
ACT climate change minister Shane Rattenbury said the capital was showing the federal government how to deliver on clean energy.
"If the generators make more money than the set price for the electricity they sell into the national electricity market, they pay the difference back to the ACT," Mr Rattenbury said.
Ararat Rural City Mayor Paul Hooper told the Ararat Advertiser the Victorian town had seen a $40 million boost to its economy since work began on the wind farm in June 2015.
"We had, at times, 350 contractors working on site so we will be sad to see them go," Cr Hooper said.
"There is no doubt the town will feel the loss once the construction crews are finished.
"In terms of ongoing employment, I think there were 12 jobs to be had from maintenance, and that's a net gain to the community as well."
