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- Release Date: 03/09/12 10:52
- Summary: GENERAL: MEL: Meridian Australia to build Mt Mercer wind farm
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MEL
03/09/2012 08:52
GENERAL
REL: 0852 HRS Meridian Energy Limited
GENERAL: MEL: Meridian Australia to build Mt Mercer wind farm
Meridian Energy Australia - a wholly owned subsidiary of Meridian Energy
Limited - will soon start construction on Mt Mercer, a 64 turbine wind farm
in Victoria, Australia.
Meridian Chief Financial Officer Paul Chambers says Mt Mercer will cost
approximately AUD$260 million to build.
"This project increases Meridian's existing presence in Australia and further
leverages Meridian's proven experience in designing, building and managing
wind farms."
Construction of the 131 MW Mt Mercer wind farm, located 30km south of
Ballarat, will start in December and will take approximately two years.
"Wind is well positioned in Australia as the most viable renewable generation
technology," says Mr Chambers. "Australia's renewable energy targets
requiring approximately one fifth of electricity generation be produced from
renewable sources by 2020 means that generation with a total capacity of more
than 80% of New Zealand's entire generation base must be built in Australia
by 2020.
"Australia's long term regulatory support and the quality of this project
ensure that Meridian will get an excellent return on Mt Mercer."
Meridian is also currently trialling its retail business Powershop in
Australia.
"Powershop could be a natural adjunct to our renewable generation portfolio
in Australia," adds Mr Chambers.
Mt Mercer will be Meridian's third wind farm in Australia. Meridian owns and
operates Mt Millar wind farm in South Australia, and is partnering with AGL
Energy to build the Macarthur wind farm in western Victoria, which, at 420
megawatts, will be the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere.
Key facts about Mt Mercer
o 64 turbines, 131MW wind farm, located 30km South of Ballarat, Victoria
o Occupies seven conjoined landholdings (2,460 hectares)
o Construction will start December 2012; Full power in December 2014
o Contractors: Repower (turbine technology); Downer EDI (Civil works);
Powercor (transmission line)
o Will help meet Australia's Mandatory Renewable Energy Target that requires
around one fifth of electricity to be generated from renewables by 2020
o Mt Mercer will be Meridian's third wind farm in Australia
o Meridian previously owned Wattle Point, a wind farm in South Australia.
For more information contact:
Claire Shaw
Corporate Communications
Meridian Energy
021 370 677
[email protected]
meridian.co.nz
End CA:00226795 For:MEL Type:GENERAL Time:2012-09-03 08:52:48
