Meridian Assesses Economic Viability of Burdekin Falls Hydro Project in Australia

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources Australia (Perth, Australia)--Meridian Energy Australia Pty Limited (Melbourne, Australia) is assessing market conditions and conducting an economic evaluation for the 36-megawatt (MW) Burdekin Falls Hydro Power project in Australia. The $150 million project would be built at Burdekin Falls Dam, 165 kilometers south of Townsville in Queensland, Australia.

The project initially was proposed by Stanwell Corporation Limited (Brisbane, Australia) and bulk water infrastructure developer SunWater Corporation (Brisbane), which manages the Burdekin Dam. The joint venture partners completed feasibility studies, but placed the project on hold for commercial reasons in 2004.

In 2013, Stanwell and SunWater sold the project rights to Meridian. The $1.5 million sale included fully developed tender pricing for civil, mechanical and electrical works, including power line design. However, Meridian is reassessing the project viability in view of current market conditions. If built, Burdekin would feature three 12-MW turbines.

Meridian Renewable Energy Manager James Waldren said the company would begin project construction by 2016. The construction would take nearly two years and would generate enough electricity to power approximately 9,500 homes.

Meridian owns several operational windfarms and hydro stations in New Zealand and Australia. Meridian Australia is constructing the 131-MW Mount Mercer windfarm in Ballarat, Victoria. Meridian, along with major contractors Downer EDI Engineering Power and REpower Australia Pty Limited, has been working on this project since early 2013. Mount Mercer is one of the biggest renewable energy projects to reach the construction phase in recent history. The windfarm is scheduled to begin operations by end of May.

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