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First in Southern Hemisphere for Wind Prospect
September 30 2004
Wind Prospect Pty Ltd announced a landmark in its wind energy
development below the equator with the hoisting of the first
nacelle into position at Canunda Wind Farm, which is owned
by International Power, in South Australia.
Not only is the turbine a first for the Australian arm of
Wind Prospect, it is also the largest wind turbine installed
in the Southern Hemisphere, with a blade diameter of 80 metres.
Braving 14m/s wind speeds, hail and a snowy South Australian
winter, the construction team completed the effort ahead of
time, with Wind Prospect Construction Manager Paul Bultitude
saying:
"Despite the horrendous weather conditions, the contractors
and Vestas pushed through and we have come out ahead of schedule.
All are to be congratulated on this effort, which is a milestone
for Wind Prospect, the site owner International Power and
the manufacturer, Vestas."
On completion (expected early 2005), the wind farm - located
at Lake Bonney near Millicent in the south-east of South Australia
- will consist of 23 Vestas 2MW wind turbines with an installed
capacity of 46MW, and generate enough electricity to supply
around 25,000 average South Australian homes.
Wind Prospect has more megawatts of wind farm projects in
advanced stages of planning and construction than any other
company on mainland Australia.
The company has received planning approval for 380 MW and
has a further 320MW soon to be assessed by the local council.
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Notes For Editors
Wind Prospect Pty Ltd is a private company comprising
shareholders Wind Prospect Ltd (UK) and its Australian management.
Wind Prospect Ltd is the UK's foremost independent developer of
wind energy projects. So far, nearly 1000MW of approved capacity
have been delivered, with hundreds more megawatts in development.
The Australian operation, mainly based in South Australia, has
submitted six wind farm projects in South Australia, totalling
700MW of proposed wind generated power.
International Power plc is a leading independent electricity
generating company which owns, controls or operates more than
16,000MW of generating capacity worldwide. Among the countries
where International Power has facilities in operation or under
construction are Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom,
the Czech Republic, the UAE, Portugal, Turkey, Malaysia, Oman,
Pakistan and Thailand. International Power was listed on the London
Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (as ADRs), on 2
October 2000. The ticker symbol on both stock exchanges is "IPR".
Why Wind Power?
Legislation has set targets on the generation of electricity from
renewables at 2% by 2010. Wind energy is one of the most appropriate
technologies to help meet these targets, as it is the cleanest
and lowest cost form in the market place.
Typically, a windcluster with 10 turbines will generate enough
electricity for 8,000-10,000 homes, and will save around 70,000
tonnes of harmful greenhouse gases. Other sources of renewable
energy can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, however
wind energy is by far the lowest cost source.
For further information please contact:
Michael Vawser
General Manager
Paul Bultitude
Construction Manager
Wind Prospect Pty Ltd
144 Main Road
McLaren Vale
South Australia 5171
t: +61 (8) 8323 9322
f: +61 (8) 8323 8111
e: admin@windprospect.com.au
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