The Snowtown Wind Farm project received planning approval in January 2004 for the construction and operation of up to 130 turbines placed on land within the Hummocks and Barunga Ranges, northwest of Lochiel in the Wakefield Regional Council area, 140 km north of Adelaide in South Australia.

The site stretches across nearly 30 km of ridgeline, covering nearly 12,000 ha of land. Despite this, less than 1% of the total area is impacted by the project.

In April 2007, TrustPower commenced construction of Stage I of the Wind Farm, comprising 47 Suzlon S88 2.1 MW Wind Turbines. The first phase will have an installed capacity of 98.7 MW, producing enough power for nearly 70,000 average South Australian households. The windfarm produced its first power at Christmas 2008, threre months ahead of schedule, and was fully one week early in November 2008. 

Each of the 47 Stage I turbines has a rotor diameter of 88-metres and sits on an 80 metre cylindrical steel tower. The Suzlon S88 is a variable slip turbine with an electrical pitch system that can individually feather each blade, operating with a rotational speed between 15 and 17.6 rpm.

The Snowtown site has an excellent wind resource and is in close proximity to the transmission network. Stage Ihas achieved an annual average capacity factor of approximately 42%, ranking it amongst the best performing sites in Australia.

TrustPower Snowtown Wind Farm was formally opened in November 2008.

The Snowtown site highlights the benefits of a well sited Wind Farm project in Australia, resulting in minimal affects upon the amenity and/or character of the locality. During preparation of the Environmental Statement, TrustPower thoroughly reviewed the impact of the Wind Farm with respect to such issues as existing land use, ecology, cultural heritage, visual impact, noise, air quality, electromagnetic signals, road, traffic and socio-economic issues.

The project was approved by the Wakefield Regional Council in January 2004 and no appeals were lodged with respect to the decision.

The project will make a significant contribution to National renewable energy targets whilst offsetting nearly 345,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum (Stage I).