Grasmere wind farm powers up Albany

• Energy Minister opens $40m Grasmere wind farm near Albany

• Verve Energy's wind assets supply average of 80% of Albany's electricity

Energy Minister Peter Collier today officially opened the Grasmere wind farm, a $40million, six turbine electricity generation facility near Albany.

The construction of the new Grasmere facility started in 2010 as an extension of Albany's existing wind farm which has been operating since 2001. Grasmere's six new 2.3 megawatt (MW) wind turbines combined with the Albany wind farm's existing 21.6MW will produce a total of 35.4MW from the single site.

Mr Collier said Grasmere demonstrated the important role that renewable energy could play in supplying electricity in the future.  

"While they are unlikely to replace traditional sources of electricity in the foreseeable future, wind and other renewables like solar have an important contribution to make as we grapple with the community's expectation of energy supplies that are cleaner, reliable and can cope with increasing demand," the Minister said.

"In total, Grasmere will generate 43.5 gigawatt hours of electricity each year, which is enough to offset more than 40,000 tonnes of CO2 while supplying 80 per cent of Albany's annual electricity on average.

"Verve Energy has delivered this project on-time and on-budget and added significantly to one of the South-West's most popular tourist attractions."

The Albany wind farm has become a 'must see' attraction for visitors to the city. Each year, some 200,000 people visit to get close to a wind turbine, take in the spectacular views or walk the Bibbulmun Track boardwalk.

The Albany wind farm project has set a benchmark both in terms of the technology and the community consultation process.  It has become a best-practice example which communities and wind farm developers around Australia have, with varying degrees of success, sought to emulate. 

      Fact File

• Albany and Grasmere wind farms produce a total of 35.4MW of capacity

• While Grasmere's new turbines are the same dimensions as the original Albany turbines (65m towers, three 35m long blades) they produce 30% more output due to subtle changes in blade design

Minister's office - 6552 6300