Pacific Hydro Assesses Economic Viability of Windfarm Project in Australia

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Perth, Australia)--Pacific Hydro Australia (Victoria, Australia), a major player in the proliferation of windfarms, put a hold on the development of the 150-megawatt (MW) Carmody's Hill Windfarm Project, which is to be built at Gulnare, 170 kilometres from Adelaide, South Australia. Pacific Hydro is investigating the economic viability of the project and assessing market conditions to determine the next steps. The project has yet to obtain capital approval from the board.

The initial project proposal was to build a 175-MW windfarm using 70 turbines, manufactured by either Suzlon or Repower, with whom the company has a good relationship. However, according to the new proposal, Pacific Hydro will resize the windfarm slightly by reducing the number of turbines and produce only 150 MW of electricity.

"The proposed site is strong, with consistent winds and proximity to the national grid, and is expected to generate electricity to 85,000 households annually and reduce 501,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year," says a spokesperson for the project.

Pacific Hydro has lodged a development application for the 100-MW, 42-turbine Keyneton Windfarm, which is located along the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges in South Australia. When completed, it will be able to provide enough electricity to power 44,000 homes annually and reduce 193,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year.

The company is also working on the final stage of Portland IV Wind Portfolio, which has projects that will be built in Victoria, Australia. Cape Nelson and Cape Sir William are the two windfarms that will generate 45 MW of electricity, together with more than 24 wind turbines spread across Portland. Both of the projects are waiting for financial closure, as well as dealing with local land and transmission issues. Pacific Hydro currently operates the 27-turbine Clements Gap Windfarm near Crystal Brook, which supplies 56 MW of electricity to the South Australia National Grid.

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