Collgar Wind Farm officially launched

The state government hopes the Collgar Wind Farm at Merredin will be up and running by August next year.

WA's biggest renewable energy project has officially been launched.

During construction it's expected to employ up to 200 people and once it's completed there will be 20 on-going jobs.

Energy Minister Peter Collier said the Wind Farm development will increase the total renewable energy generation in the South West Interconnected System from five to almost nine per cent.

"This is a significant development, with a total capacity of 206 megawatts and reaffirms the Liberal-National Government's commitment to delivering a cleaner energy future for WA," said Mr Collier.

"It will help the State achieve its share of the national renewable energy target of 20 per cent by 2020, as our Government continues to press ahead with investment in renewable energy sources."

Collgar Wind Farm will comprise 111 turbines dotted across 13,000 hectares and generate enough energy to power more than 125,000 homes every year.

It will ensure more than one million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions are saved each year - equivalent to taking more than 250,000 cars off the road.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said this was a landmark renewable energy project for the Wheatbelt and the whole State.