New South Wales Planning Department Approves $200 Million Bodangora Windfarm

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Perth, Australia)--Infigen Energy Pty Limited (ASX:IFN) (Sydney, Australia) is making progress with its application for the development of the 100-megawatt (MW) Bodangora windfarm at Bodangora in New South Wales, Australia. The proposed 25- to 40-tower windfarm has an estimated capital investment value of more than $200 million. Construction is scheduled to commence by end of 2014 and is estimated to take 10 to 12 months to complete. The windfarm is expected to be operational by the end of 2015.

The 100-MW Bodangora Project recently received conditional approval from the New South Wales (NSW) Planning Department, but a public meeting will be held before the final determination of the project's proposal is made. The approvals are subject to more than 100 conditions, one of which mandates that Infigen establish a "Bird and Bat Adaptive Management Program" prior to windfarm construction.

In April 2013, Infigen signed a voluntary planning agreement with the Wellington Council, which ensures that the company will maintain the best infrastructure standards before the windfarm's construction begins.

According to the second aspect of the agreement, Infigen will establish a community benefit fund to provide an annual contribution of $25,000 for the lifetime of the project, which is expected to be 25 years. According to Infigen and the Wellington Council, the project will create up to 50 jobs while the windfarm is in construction and about four maintenance jobs when the windfarm is operational.

In addition to Bodangora, Infigen is currently in the process of obtaining planning approvals for a $150 million expansion of its existing Capital Windfarm near Bungendore in New South Wales, Australia. Infigen has applied for approval to erect 30 to 55 wind turbines; however, the initial expansion installation will consist of about 40 turbines producing 2 MW each.

Infigen hopes to have financial approval by the second quarter of 2014, and then wants to release requests for quotation immediately. The company will go out to tender for two packages: turbine supply and erection, and balance of plant. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2014 and to be completed in 2015.

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