New wind farm on the way

Adelaide Advertiser
Tuesday 6/11/2007 Page: 13

ENERGY company AGL will build its third windfarm in South Australia, the facility to become operational by late 2009. The 34 turbines will generate 71 megawatts and be built at Hallett Hill, 170km north of Adelaide. The wind farm is one of three under development in SA, where six already operate. AGL managing director Michael Fraser said the new facility would make AGL the nation's largest private renewable energy supplier. "The Hallett Hill wind farm will significantly add to AGL's capability to self supply its renewable generation needs," he said.

At a cost of $166 million over two years, the project will create 150 jobs when construction begins in January next year. The wind farm will be built about 20km from the 45 turbines at AGL's Brown Hill project. "These two projects, combined with Wattle Point, will bring the total number of wind turbines under AGL's management in South Australia to 134, with a total capacity of 257 megawatts," Mr Fraser said.

"The wind farm will provide enough renewable energy to power 40,000 average Australian households and abate approximately 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide." Premier Mike Rann said the new development showed that SA was within reach of renewable energy targets set for 2014. "We are well on track to achieve the legislated target of 20 per cent of our state's power generated from renewable sources by the end of 2009," he said.

Hallett Hill will also be eligible to supply renewable energy under proposed federal schemes. The project will be structured so either a sale similar to that undertaken for AGL's Brown Hill wind farm or other funding structures can be pursued by the company. A decision is expected on the future ownership structure towards the end of the 2008 financial year. AGL will contract all electricity output and green credits and will maintain the operations and management contract.