31/03/05 – $92.4 MILLION WINDFARM LAUNCHED IN SA’S SOUTH EAST

The Canunda Wind Farm – developed by the nation’s leading private electricity generator, International Power Australia at a cost of $92.5 million – was opened today by the South Australian Premier Mike Rann.

The 23-turbine Wind Farm, located near Lake Bonney in South Australia’s South-East, has the capacity to generate 46 MW of electricity – enough to power the equivalent of 30,000 homes.  Its turbines, at 2 MW each, are the largest in Australia.

International Power Australia (IPRA) has developed the Canunda Wind Farm with Wind Prospect Pty Ltd, a South Australian company whose principal shareholder is Wind Prospect (UK) Ltd, a UK-based developer of wind farms worldwide.

The power generated by Canunda Wind Farm is carried 14 kilometres to Snuggery Substation by a 33kV double circuit line operated by ETSA Utilities. IPRA has a power purchase agreement with leading energy retailer Australia Gas and Light company (AGL) for all of the output generated by the Canunda Wind Farm.
 
Speaking at the official opening today, IPRA Managing Director Mr Tony Concannon, said the Canunda Wind Farm was the company’s first significant renewable energy project in Australia and an important addition to its electricity generation portfolio as it sought to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy sources.

“The Canunda windfarm project is an important blend of renewable (non-firm power) backed up by firm fossil-fired power (gas and or coal). This mix  ensures that consumers have access to a secure, efficient and affordable supply of energy,” Mr Concannon said.

International Power Australia is the largest private generator in Australia, with a portfolio which includes brown coal, high efficiency gas combined cycle, open cycle gas and wind technology assets spanning South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.

It owns and operates the state-of-the-art Pelican Point Power Station in Adelaide in addition to four peaking power stations in SA, at Snuggery, Port Lincoln, Dry Creek and Mintaro. It also operates Hazelwood Power, Loy Yang B and Valley Power in Victoria; Kwinana in Western Australia; and is a 33 per cent equity holder in the SEA Gas consortium, which operates a 687-kilometre, $500 million gas pipeline from Victoria to Adelaide.