Premier Rann and Mid North community join AGL for official opening of Hallett 2 wind farm
29 May 2010
The Premier of South Australia, the Hon Mike Rann MP, officially opened AGL’s Hallett 2 wind farm today on Hallett Hill, west of the township of Mt Bryan, as part of a community day celebration at the site.
To mark the formal launch of the 71.4 megawatt (MW) wind farm, Mr Rann cut a ribbon with local schoolchildren to celebrate the completion of the second project in AGL’s Hallett wind farm complex.
Comprising 34 Suzlon S88-2.1 MW wind turbines, the Hallett 2 wind farm will produce enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 40,000 average Australian homes.
The renewable electricity generated will abate about 280,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year for the life of the wind farm, the equivalent of taking 70,000 cars off the road.
Celebrating with the communityThe new $159 million asset, located about 20km from the AGL Hallett 1 wind farm on the Brown Hill range, now forms part of AGL’s market leading portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities. Hallett 2 has been generating renewable energy for the national electricity grid since last year.
Mr Rann said: “Nearly two years ago I officially opened AGL’s Hallett 1 wind farm on a nearby range and I am delighted to join the local community in celebrating the completion of Hallett 2 wind farm today.
“South Australia has become the destination of choice for wind farm investment which has now exceeded $2 billion and before the end of the year will contribute 1000 MW into our power grid. We easily lead Australia in wind power generation.
“Our State is ahead of our target to have 20 per cent of the State’s electricity supplies powered by renewable energy by 2014 and on target to reach 33 per cent of renewables by 2020.
“Developments such as the Hallett wind farms are not only good for the environment, they generate jobs and economic activity in local regional communities,” Mr Rann said.
Local support vital to successAGL Managing Director, Michael Fraser, said the support of the local mid-north community had been vital to the success of the Hallett 2 project.
“Whenever I am asked what do you need for a successful wind farm development, I say that one of the key factors is a supportive community,” Mr Fraser said.
“That is why we are delighted that so many people from around the region have been able to join us here today for a true local celebration of the Hallett 2 wind farm and of the many benefits it brings to the community.
Lasting benefits for the community“We estimate that more than $2 million has been invested into the local economy by spending at local businesses and approximately 200 local people worked on this project during construction. I know some of these workers have already transferred to the construction site of our Hallett 4 wind farm at North Brown Hill.
“In fact, I’m pleased to say that all service technicians at both Hallett 1 and 2 are locals.
“Further, Suzlon alone has recruited over 150 permanent employees from South Australia to work on the construction and operation of its wind farms.
“There will also be lasting benefits from our commitment to establish community funds for each of our wind farm projects. These funds are designed to enable the broader community near the wind farms to participate in the benefits that the projects bring.
“We have received some very encouraging feedback about the operation of this fund in and around the area. I’m pleased we’ve been able to contribute to the purchase of a new tractor for the Mt Bryan Progress Association, as well as contributions to various sporting clubs and to the Burra Community School, to name a few,” said Mr Fraser.
Technical specificationsThe wind towers are 80 metres in height and the maximum blade tip height is 124 metres. Each turbine has a rotor diameter of 88 metres.
In South Australia, as well as the Hallett 1 (94 MW) and Hallett 2 wind farms, AGL is also building Hallett 4 (132 MW), is preparing to build Hallett 5 (52MW) and is developing Hallett 3 (80MW) and Barn Hill (at least 130 MW).
Approximately 78 per cent of AGL’s generation capacity is low or zero emission. By the end of the next decade, AGL will own or operate approximately 3,000 MW of renewable generation assets with about a quarter of this being in South Australia.
Further inquiries:
Karen Winsbury, Senior Media Advisor
Direct: + 61 3 8633 6388
Mobile: + 61 (0) 408 465 479
e-mail: kwinsbury@agl.com.au
Nathan Vass, Head of Media
Direct: +61 2 9921 2264
Mobile: +61 (0) 405 040 133
e-mail: nvass@agl.com.au
About AGL
AGL is Australia's largest integrated renewable energy company and is taking action toward creating a sustainable energy future for our investors, communities and customers. Drawing on over 170 years of experience, AGL operates retail and merchant energy businesses, power generation assets and an upstream gas portfolio. AGL has Australia's largest retail energy and dual fuel customer base. AGL has a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants, spread across traditional thermal generation as well as renewable sources including hydro, wind, landfill gas and biomass. AGL is Australia's largest private owner and operator of renewable energy assets and is looking to further expand this position by exploring a suite of low emission and renewable energy generation development opportunities.