Australian Wind Farm Erects First of 35 Turbine Units

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Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). Private Energy Producer (PEP) Pacific Hydro Limited (ASX: PHY) (Melbourne, Australia) has erected the first of 35 wind turbine/generators to be installed at the 52.5 megawatt (MW) Challicum Hills Wind Farm near Ararat, Australia.

Construction on the wind farm commenced during the fourth quarter of 2002, and will consist of (35) 1.5-megawatt (MW) NEG/Micon wind turbine/generator sets that will produce enough energy to supply 25,000 average homes. The wind farm is scheduled for completion in June/July 2003. During construction there are as many as 60 people employed, once wind farm is complete it will have a staff of 5-6 permanent personnel.

Pacific Hydro, formed in 1992, is dedicated to the development and operation of renewable energy generation in Australia, South East Asia, and the Pacific Rim region. They are proud of a reputation as a company that successfully combines engineering excellence and superior environmental performance. Pacific Hydro began developing small, environmentally friendly hydroelectric projects in Victoria. These projects, located on existing irrigation dams, have a total generation capacity of 10MW.During 1996/97 the Company expanded its Australian hydroelectric operations into Western Australia with development of Ord River project. Again, built on an existing irrigation dam, this 30MW facility is the largest privately funded renewable energy project developed in Australia. It is also the largest renewable energy project of any sort built in Australia in the last 20 years. The company continues to seek out suitable hydroelectric projects in Australia and South Central New South Wales as part of its desire to be at the forefront of renewable energy generation in Australia, Pacific Hydro have recently diversified into wind farm development with the impending construction of the Codrington wind farm in south west Victoria. With planning approval for 14 turbines, this 33 million dollar project will be the single largest independently owned and operated wind farm in Australia. This project is at the forefront of the new Victorian based wind energy manufacturing and construction industry, generating around 58,000 MW of clean renewable energy per annum, which is sufficient to supply over 14,000 Victorian homes. It will also have the affect of abating over 76,000 tonnes of global warming carbon dioxide emissions each year. The company seeks further growth opportunities, not only in Australia but also in South East Asia and the Pacific Rim region. International operations include a 50% partner in the development of the Bakun River Project in the Luzon region of the Philippines, Pacific Hydro has enhanced its reputation as an organization possessing innovative engineering capabilities. This $150 million (US), 70MW "run of river" hydroelectric project is the largest international energy project undertaken by an Australian company. It includes 10km of tunnel from the weir to the power station and will produce over 200GW of electricity per annum with minimal environmental impact. Construction of a second Philippines project, Tagaloan II in Northern Mandano and hydro developments in Nepal and are also planned in the near future. As a supplier of environmentally friendly and efficient energy, and an engineering organization with proven track record of innovative project design and construction, Pacific Hydro has established itself as the region's pre-eminent independent power producers.