Officially a generator

Port Lincoln Times
Tuesday 8/5/2007 Page: 5

THE Cathedral Rocks Wind Farm near Sleaford was officially opened by State Government Minister Paul Holloway on Friday.

Mr Holloway, leader of the government in the Legislative Council representing the State Government said the wind farm, located 26 kilometres southwest of Port Lincoln, was integral in battling the effects of climate change.. He said the emission-free farm was a leading project for South Australia and the country.

"Now half of the country's wind energy is generated in South Australia," he said. "It will put South Australia at the forefront for wind energy. He said the farm was helping South Australia meet its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing up to a quarter of a million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year by generating electricity from a world-class wind resource.

Tasmanian Energy Minister David Llewellyn said it was disappointing the Federal Government had ignored the findings of its own expert report on renewable energy targets, and was not following suit with South Australia's commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels. At maximum capacity the Cathedral Rocks Wind Farm, with 33 turbines, generates 66 megawatts of green energy, enough to power 35,000 households. The wind farm is a joint venture between Spanish company Acciona Energy and Roaring 40s, a joint venture between Hydro Tasmania and CLP Power Asia.

Roaring 40s chairman Richard Mclndoe said the wind farm highlighted the State's involvement in renewable energy, including geothermal energy currently being developed. Acciona Energy managing director Brett Thomas said Cathedral Rocks was an important milestone for Acciona's global wind energy portfolio, being the company's first wind farm development in Australia.

"Cathedral Rocks adds to the continuing growth of renewable energy in Australia." Venture partners have been testing and commissioning turbines since the end of construction and wanted to wait until the majority of the wind turbines were through this phase before an opening ceremony was held.

An open day for the public was held on Saturday.