Ararat Windfarm in Victoria One Step Closer to Construction Kickoff

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources Australia (Perth, Australia)--The Ararat windfarm, which was proposed by Renewable Energy Systems Limited (Sydney, Australia) (RES), a leading offshore wind, wave and tidal energy developer, is significantly closer to its construction timeline. The 250-megawatt (MW) windfarm has obtained all the needed permits, and RES is working on the tenders to select the turbine suppliers and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors for the project.

The windfarm project was proposed in 2009. A planning application was lodged with the Ararat rural council and Northern Grampian shire council, which was approved in 2010.

Ararat will be approximately 183 kilometres northwest of Melbourne and between 9 and 17 kilometres northeast of Ararat in Victoria, Australia. The council has granted the company approval to install 75 wind turbines on site. RES is aiming to produce approximately 250 MW of electricity from the windfarm by utilising 2-MW and 3-MW turbines.

The Ararat Rural City Council granted planning permits in April 2012 to construct a 132-kilovolt (kV) transmission line to connect the Ararat Windfarm to the national grid network. According to the project proposal, RES will construct 132-kV transmission line and substation connection to the existing 132/220-kV Ballarat to Horsham line, with a point of connection at Easter Brooks Lane, Elmhurst.

Windfarm construction will commence subject to the approvals, followed by EPC contractor selection. With the selected EPC, RES aims to commence construction by end of the year. Transmission line construction will coincide with the windfarm's construction.

The windfarm is expected to begin operations by 2015.

RES also is developing the 510-MW Penshurst windfarm project, which is located approximately 3 kilometers southwest of the township of Penshurst in Victoria. The windfarm will consist of 150 turbines, each with a capacity of 3.4 MW.

RES is undertaking environmental assessments and continuing to monitor for Southern Bent-wing Bats across the proposed windfarm site. RES expects the final investment decision by second-quarter 2014.

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