Wind Prospect Group Sets Sights on 2014 Construction Start for Sapphire Windfarm in New South Wales

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources Australia (Perth, Australia)--Wind Prospect Group (New South Wales, Australia) is making progress on the proposed Sapphire Windfarm in Australia. The windfarm will be located 18 kilometres west of Glen Innes, and 28 kilometres east of Inverell, in northern New South Wales (NSW).

According to the project's environmental report, assessed by the NSW Department of Planning (NSWDP), the project will comprise up to 159 approved wind turbine locations spread over 22 properties, with an estimated production of 318 megawatts (MW). The windfarm capacity will vary from 238 to 425 MW, based on the turbine selection. Wind Prospect will consider building the windfarm in one or two stages, depending on the tendering process.

Wind Prospect started wind monitoring at the site in 2008 and lodged the project proposal in 2009. A preliminary environmental assessment was accepted and lodged by the NSWDP in 2009, and the project received planning approvals from the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) in 2013. Adrian Maddocks, the project manager at Wind Prospect, said that the company is looking forward to receiving the necessary approvals to begin construction.

The windfarm construction is expected to begin by the third quarter of 2014. With a standard construction timeline of 12 to 18 months, project completion is expected by end of 2015.

Like any other renewable energy project, Sapphire Windfarm will provide significant environmental benefits by contributing to the Australian Federal Government's Renewable Energy Target of 20% by 2020.

Wind Prospect Group is one of the most successful independent renewable energy developers in the world. The company currently has major windfarm projects at various stages of development in the U.K., Ireland, France, Poland, South Africa, China and Australia.

Wind Prospect recently awarded a major contract to Downer Group to develop the 113-MW Boco Rock windfarm in Australia, which will undergo construction by end of 2013.

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