Building underway on Australia's biggest wind farm
Thursday, April 3, 2008
From the Miniter of Energy and Resources
Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor today inspected the second stage of the Portland Wind Energy Project, which when complete will be one of Australia’s largest greenhouse gas abatement projects.
Mr Batchelor today visited the stage two of the project at Cape Bridgewater, where construction on 29 towers is nearing completion.
“The Brumby Government is taking action on climate change and Pacific Hydro’s Portland Wind Energy Project will be Australia’s biggest wind farm and will have four sites in the south-west of Victoria. It will add up to 195 megawatts (MW) to Victoria’s electricity grid when complete, providing enough electricity to power more than 90,000 homes,” Mr Batchelor said.
“When completed, the Portland wind farm will produce clean, green wind energy that will prevent more than 550,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year from being emitted had that electricity been produced using brown coal.
“Stage 3, Cape Nelson South, which will have 22 towers, received planning approval in January 2008. Work on this has begun and will add 44MW to Victoria’s electricity grid when complete,” Mr Batchelor said.
“It is great to see the on-the-ground results of the Brumby Government’s Renewable Energy Target (VRET), which is not only providing environmental benefits but also boosting employment in regional Victoria.
“Sixty-five per cent of the resources for stage two of the Portland Wind Energy Project have been sourced locally, with 49 local businesses involved in the project.”
Mr Batchelor highlighted one such local engineering firm, Keppel Prince, as an example of local business embracing the development of wind power projects.
“Keppel Prince currently employs more than 120 people on the construction of the towers for the Portland Wind Energy Project,” Mr Batchelor said.
“The Brumby Government’s Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) is for 10 per cent of Victoria’s electricity consumption to come from renewable sources by 2016.
“Since the announcement of VRET, more than 1000MW of renewable energy projects valued at over $2 billion and expected to create more than 2000 Victorian jobs, have been approved.
“VRET has provided certainty for investors in renewable energy, such as Pacific Hydro and Keppel Prince, which has enabled projects such as the Portland Wind Energy Project to proceed.
“The strong potential for growth of the wind industry offers a significant opportunity to develop an environmentally sustainable energy industry, which is important in tackling climate change.”
