May 14, 2008
Australia
Australia
If AGL Energy’s plans for a fourth wind farm in the Hallett district come to fruition, they would confirm the Mid North as the hub of mainland wind farm investment in Australia.
The impressive turbines can be seen on the hills on the way to Spalding, Booborowie and to Hallett as easily visible landmarks on a changing landscape.
AGL managing director Michael Fraser said the company had entered into a development agreement with Wind Prospect to acquire the rights to develop, and subject to approvals, construct the fourth wind farm in the Mid North.
The Hallett 4 wind farm development, at North Brown Hill, is 23km from Hallett.
“If the Hallett 4 wind farm proceeds, it will include around 63 turbines with a capacity of up to 189 megawatts – making it the largest wind farm in the Hallett group,” Mr Fraser said.
“If it proceeds, the Hallett 4 wind farm would see the company operating over 232 wind turbines in South Australia with a combined capacity of over 460 megawatts by 2011.
“These assets will play an important part in meeting future renewable energy needs arising from the Federal Government’s 20 percent renewable energy target.”
AGL already has 166 megawatts of wind capacity in construction in this area and will now have a further 206-306 megawatts in development.
AGL anticipates that, when fully operational, the Hallett 4 wind farm will generate enough renewable energy to power approximately 67,000 average Australian households and avoid up to 346,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Under the terms of the development agreement, Wind Prospect will secure the planning approvals and land arrangements needed to construct the wind farm.
These are similar to previous arrangements between AGL and Wind Prospect for the Hallett 1 and Hallett 2 wind farms.
AGL recently announced the development of a third wind farm – Hallett 3 – which would have a capacity of up to 117 megawatts.
AGL’s Brown Hill wind farm (Hallett 1 – 95 megawatts) is nearing completion and the nearby Hallett 2 wind farm (71 megawatts) is under construction.
“The development of the Hallett 4 wind farm at North Brown Hill would add further to our considerable portfolio of renewable generation assets, which is the largest privately held renewable generation portfolio in Australia,” Mr Fraser said.
AGL anticipates that it will be in a position to make a final investment decision on the Hallett 4 wind farm by late in the 2009 financial year with expected commercial operation in the 2011 financial year.
If the wind farm proceeds AGL will retain the flexibility to either fund the development on balance sheet or pursue a structured sale similar to that undertaken for the original Hallett 1 wind farm.
14 May 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/05/14/fourth-hallett-windfarm/