Australia's Wind Prospects' Sapphire Windfarm Awaits Government Approval

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources Australia (Perth, Australia)--Wind Prospect Group Pty Limited's (New South Wales, Australia) Sapphire windfarm project in New South Wales (NSW) awaits final approval after being questioned by the federal government in August 2013.

The 318-megawatt (MW) windfarm would be built between Glen Innes and Inverell in NSW.

The NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure approved the project in June 2013. The company expected the federal government to approve the project in August 3013, but the newly appointed government has sought a further probe on the environmental impact of the wind project. Wind Prospect is performing preliminary investigations and expects government approvals in the next four to six weeks.

The project has yet to receive full funding and power buyers.

The preconstruction phase of the project is already under way, according to officials, with major track works ongoing. Wind Prospect expects to finalize the turbine supplier contract by end of first-quarter 2014, followed by the selection of a lead engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contractor in the second quarter. Subject to the selection of the turbine supplier, Wind Prospect may consider building the windfarm in two stages.

Project construction will involve site-access roads, an underground network of electrical and communication cables, and a 330-kilovolt (kV) overhead electrical transmission line to connect to the national electricity grid approximately three kilometers (two miles) from the site.

Major construction will begin early next year, with an overall construction period of 24 months, according to Adrian Maddocks, project manager for Sapphire.

Wind Prospect also is developing the 250-MW Bango windfarm near Boorowa and Rye Park, north of Yass in NSW. The project was proposed in 2009, and initial environmental assessment was lodged in 2011. Wind Prospect expects to seek planning approvals in the near future, with construction expected in the next 24 months.

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