A $220 million wind farm development near Snowtown, north of Adelaide, would help the area shake off the notoriety of the bodies-in-the-barrels murders, a community leader says.

IN 1999, eight dismembered bodies were found in six acid-filled plastic barrels in a disused bank vault in the town.

Three men have since been jailed over the killings with Snowtown closely linked to the deaths as their cases proceeded through the South Australian courts.

Almost a decade later, the connection remains, while locals have also had to battle drought and uncertain grain prices in recent years.

Snowtown Community Management Committee chairman Paul McCormack said the windfarm development was finally some good news for the town.

"Snowtown has struggled to shake off the global notoriety it received due to the bodies-in-the-barrels murders nearly a decade ago," he said.

"The wind farm will help develop a positive new image for the town.

"The local community has taken a strong interest in the project and appreciates it being named the Snowtown Wind Farm.

"It's a good news story for this community."

The 47-turbine development was opened yesterday by Premier Mike Rann and will generate about 98 megawatts, enough to power 50,000 homes.

Mr Rann said it took wind power in South Australia to 740 megawatts, or 58 per cent of the total generated in Australia.

"This new wind far near Snowtown represents a great show of support and confidence, not only for this increasingly important industry, but for the town and this region," the premier said.

"It provides important economic opportunities for the region, including hundreds of jobs and a valuable source of income for landowners as we continue to suffer the ongoing effects of drought."

AAP