WA's largest renewable energy project officially open

20/08/05
Today Premier Geoff Gallop will officially open the largest renewable energy project in Western Australia which is set to triple the renewable energy generation capacity on the State's main electricity grid.
The Alinta Wind Farm - located near Walkaway, 25km south of Geraldton - is more than four times the size of the Albany wind farm and will house 54 of the world's largest wind turbines.
With a generating capacity of 90 megawatts (MW) of power into the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) - the equivalent of electricity supply to 60,000 homes - it will increase renewable energy capacity from the current approximate level of 40MW to 130MW.
The wind farm is a partnership between Alinta and Renewable Power Ventures, a leading Australian wind farm developer. Renewable Power Ventures is the owner/operator of the wind farm, while Alinta has agreed to purchase all the electricity to sell to its own customers.
"The State Government is committed to the ongoing development and growth of the renewable energy industry in WA," Dr Gallop said.
"At the last election, we made a commitment to increase the amount of renewable energy in the State's main electricity grid from one per cent to six per cent by 2010.
"Diversity of electricity supply is essential so that we continue to have a range of energy sources such as renewable energy, coal and gas to meet the State's energy needs - rather than relying solely on one specific power generation source.
"We have also introduced electricity reform to create a more efficient electricity industry, improve the reliability and diversity of supply, increase competition and encourage private sector investment in the electricity market.
"It is because of this new competitive electricity market created by our electricity reform agenda, that we are seeing opportunities open up for private investment in power generation - including renewable energy producers."
The Premier said the Alinta Wind Farm would be by far the largest renewable energy generator on the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) and would be a significant contribution towards the six per cent renewable energy target.
He said the wind farm had a range of environmental and economic benefits including:

• less greenhouse gases - the clean energy produced by the wind farm each year will displace 400,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions - the equivalent of removing 80,000 cars from WA roads each year;

• the creation of 200 construction jobs and six permanent maintenance jobs;

• an injection of $30million into the local community; and

• increased opportunities for tourism with viewing area and car park for visitors.

Dr Gallop said wind farms and other renewable energy projects across the State currently had a total capacity of about 80MW, with further wind farm and other renewable energy projects either under construction or consideration.
Premier's office: 9222 9475