Windfarm may get six new turbines

The Extra
Friday 22/2/2008 Page: 2

Albany could get 90 per cent of its energy from the Albany Wind Farm by 2010 if plans for its expansion go ahead. Verve Energy plans to add six turbines to the farm, creating a total of 18. The project, Grasmere Wind Farm, would use new turbines that provide 28 per cent more power. Project manager Daniel Thompson said construction could start as early as mid 2008.

"It would be a great project for Verve Energy and for Albany, so we would very much like to see it go ahead," Mr Thompson said. "Obviously we are still in the feasibility stage and at the moment we are still in the process of gathering information to determine whether the project will go ahead. "But the financials are definitely looking more positive." Mr Thompson said the original wind farm had been designed to provide 75 per cent of Albany's energy needs, but with increased demand that had dropped to about 55 per cent.

"With the additional turbines the farm would be able to provide 90 per cent of the energy used in Albany," he said. Verve has submitted a development application to the City of Albany and detailed project plans are being compiled for Albany City Council. "We would expect to have all the information to the council by June," Mr Thompson said. "If by the middle of the year, we can sign off on the project and can show the project is commercial, then we would expect to commence construction soon after that.

"It would be good for Albany because the original farm has been particularly successful on a number of fronts. It has given the town a green image and it has also attracted a lot of tourists." Mr Thompson said provided all approvals were granted and the project was deemed feasible, it could be fully operational by mid 2010. A public display will be organised in May to assess community attitudes.