Albany to have Australia's biggest windfarm

29/6/00
Australia's biggest windfarm will be built on coastal cliffs near Albany, one of the best wind resources in the nation.
Energy Minister Colin Barnett said today the approvals processes and financial arrangements had been finalised for the $45 million project.
Mr Barnett said the windfarm would be operating by July next year.
"The 12 wind turbines in the Albany windfarm - mounted on 65m towers and carrying three 35m long blades - will be capable of producing 22 megawatts of electricity," he said.
"That's enough electricity for 17,000 homes, or 75 per cent of Albany's requirements.
"The Albany windfarm is a major renewable energy project and confirms Western Australia's pre-eminent position in the field.
"WA already boasts the first commercial windfarm at Esperance and a smaller project at Denham, Shark Bay."
Mr Barnett said the Albany wind energy project - the nation's most advanced - would contribute to Western Power achieving the Federal Government target to source an extra two per cent of power from renewable energy by 2010.
The project was a boost for the State Government's green power policy which was designed to stimulate the growth of the renewable energy industry in the State.
"Wind energy is renewable and clean, does not contribute to the greenhouse effect and will never run out," the Minister said.
"Of the renewable energy resources available to WA, it is the most mature and economical."
Mr Barnett said one of the features of the Albany wind farm project had been the comprehensive community consultation which Western Power embarked on almost two years ago at the project outset.
Community consultation was built into the project processes at the very early stages. Albany City Council had been at the forefront of that process.
"This windfarm will save 76,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide by burning less coal and natural gas to produce electricity and will have positive impacts for the Albany region," Mr Barnett said.
"The local economy will benefit from the $10 million which will be spent in the region during the 12-month construction phase.
"About 50 per cent of the total project cost will be sourced in Australia.
"The major plant items - the generator and 35m long blades - are built in Germany by leading wind turbine manufacturer ENERCON.
"Powercorp, a major Australian power control systems company, will build the control systems in its Darwin plant and Perth engineering company RCR Tomlinson has won the $4 million contract to build the steel towers."

Mr Barnett said the Government, through the Western Australian Tourism Commission, was also investigating the tourism potential of a viewing platform on one of the turbine towers.
He said Australia had excellent wind resources and many groups were looking to wind power as they worked towards meeting the Federal Government target of developing more renewable energy projects.
Media contact: Diana Callander 9222 9699