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brking news: agl builds own wind farm! media release
February 21, 2005
Wind farm to boost Hallett generation
The Australian Gas Light Company (AGL) today announced it had secured the development
rights for a proposed 90-135 megawatt wind farm that would significantly add to the
generating capacity at its existing Hallett peaking power plant north of Adelaide.
AGL Managing Director Greg Martin said AGL was looking at developing an integrated gasfired
and wind farm operation at Hallett which would enable the company to extract the
maximum value out of the existing facility. AGL also is continuing to examine potential
additional opportunities to take advantage of the area’s sizeable wind resource.
In addition, AGL is exploring the potential to further expand its operations in the Hallett
area to deliver even greater value from its existing facilities. Evaluation work is continuing
in relation to the proposal, announced in April 2004, to proceed with a $100 million plus
expansion of the Hallett gas-fired plant. A decision on whether to proceed with the
expansion will be made in late 2005.
“AGL is committed to increasing the amount of electricity it generates from renewable
sources. Investment in new wind generating capacity will play an important role in this
strategy,” Mr Martin said.
“With the additional capacity from the proposed wind farm, Hallett is well positioned to play
an important role in providing clean energy to meet the growing electricity demand in
South Australia.”
AGL is currently evaluating competitive contracts for the turnkey design and construction of
the wind farm. Subject to Board and other necessary approvals, construction of the wind
farm is scheduled to commence around July 2005, with commissioning expected to be
completed by the end of 2006.
Integration of the facilities will mean that the existing gas-fired generation capacity at
Hallett will be able to provide adequate back-up support to the wind farm, enabling
continuous operation of the expanded power station during periods of high electricity
demand.
The development of an integrated facility would also result in the proposed wind farm being
connected to the existing grid connection at Hallett, ensuring high utilisation of existing
infrastructure and improving the economics of supplying energy from the wind farm.
Renewable generation is one way in which AGL provides clean energy to customers. AGL
has a suite of green energy products available to customers who wish to obtain their
household electricity from clean energy sources.
Further enquiries:
Contact: Jane Counsel
Direct: 02 9921 2352
Mobile: 0416 275 273