The REpower MM82 turbines, each with a capacity of 2,050 kW, are expected to generate an average of 12,200 MW hours of clean energy annually – enough to power 2,300 homes.

Hepburn Wind has paid a deposit to REpower, and are now working to finalise the remaining contractual details related to delivery and commissioning.

Chairman of Hepburn Wind Simon Holmes à Court said that he expected to announce the construction timeline for the project by the end of March 2010.

The project is the first community-owned wind farm in Australia. The co-operative now has 1,070 members, which is twice as many as was originally expected.

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By the end of 2009 the co-operative had secured over $11.3 million in funding, and the support of the Hepburn Shire community, the Victorian State Government through Sustainability Victoria, Bendigo Bank and Adelaide Bank.

The offer to invest in Hepburn Wind is still open. The minimum investment is $100 for locals, and $1000 for non-locals.