The proposed 900MW facility will be the largest and one of the first energy projects in Australia to be located within an actively managed and harvested pine forest.

The Neoen project is the first of its kind in Australia and will be located mainly in pine plantation owned by Mount Gambier plantation company GTFP.

Kentbruck Green Power Hub covers 30 kilometers between Portland and Nelson.

Neoen Australia managing director Franck Woitiez said that while the project was still in the early stages, the company was keen to open dialogue with the community on the proposed development so that any concerns could be addressed early on.

"All our projects aim to protect, retain and restore natural resources and the environment," Mr Woitiez said. 

"As part of our environment impact studies for the Kentbruck project, we will enlist independent experts and consultants to carry out detailed ecological assessments to ensure the proposed development does not threaten or destroy surrounding fauna during and after construction."

GTFP's managing director Laurie Hein said the company was pleased to be working with Neoen on its proposed project at Kentbruck.

"We believe it will benefit the local community and provide clean, renewable energy on a national scale," Mr Hein said.

"It's unique in so much as ... there's nothing in the country at all where you've got wind towers in amongst a commercial tree farm.

"It's a big project and very exciting project."

Neoen has developed and operate large-scale renewable energy projects in Australia, including the world's largest lithium-ion battery in Hornsdale in South Australia and the country's largest fully operational photovoltaic facility in Coleambally in New South Wales.

Further details on the numbers of turbines being considered for the project are yet to be finalised.

If the proposal wins approval, construction could be under way by 2021.

Neoen will host public information sessions at Nelson CFA hall on April 15 between 2-7pm and at the Portland Civic Hall between 2-7pm on April 16.

The public drop-in sessions follow initial consultations with neighbours and the local council and serve to inform the community on the assessment process and to receive feedback on the project.

The announcement comes after the news that a $875 million wind farm at Hexham is in the pipeline.

That project by company Wind Prospect is in the early stages and is expected to generate up to 700MW of power from up to 125 turbines.

If successful, the project would being construction by 2022 with turbines as tall as 250 metres.

Read more: $875m Hexham wind farm unveiled

Read more: Dundonnell wind farm kicks off with a bang

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