“This new wind farm represents another important development for this region, for our state and for our planet,” Mr Rann said.

“This is now the 11th wind farm in SA, amounting to a total wind-generated output of 868 megawatts.

“That means with just eight percent of Australia’s population we have more wind power capacity that the other state’s combined.”

The Clements Gap windfarm features 27 turbines on eight properties, and is rated at 56.7 megawatts, so will produce enough power for the needs of 30,000 homes, and will abate up to 200,000 tonnes of greenhouse emissions annually.

Some 425 contractors have worked on the site, many of them local, and all SA based.

Port Pirie Mayor Brenton Vanstone said it had been exciting for the council to be part of the renewable energy revolution.

“The wind farm has brought terrific stimulus to the local economy during the establishment phase, not only for local works contractors but also the local hospitality and accommodation industries,” he said.

He said Pacific Hydro had assisted the council to rehabilitate access roads to the site.

Pacific Hydro had also established a Sustainable Communities Fund which gave last year gave local community groups access to a share of $50,000 to develop community facilities.

“This is an amazing windfall for these groups to source such sizeable funding to maintain and establish facilities,” Mr Vanstone said

Pacific Hydro general manager Australia/Pacific Lane Crockett said the wind farm at Clements Gap was Pacific Hydro’s first wind farm in SA.

“Development of the project started in 2001 when the site was originally brought to our attention by Brian and Jill Wilson, whose property we are on today,” he said.

“It has been a pleasure to work with the local community who have demonstrated unyielding enthusiasm for the project.”

He said Pacific Hydro had a long history of renewable energy project development in Australia and overseas.