5 January 2005
Hallett approval leads to megawatt record for Wind Prospect

McLaren Vale based wind energy developer Wind Prospect Pty Ltd has scored an Australian record with the most megawatts of wind power approved in the country in 2004.

This places the Wind Prospect Group among the world's most successful developers of wind farm projects, involved in around 1,200MW of approved sites.

The recent green light of 260MW for the Hallett Wind Farm development in South Australia brings the total to 520MW for Wind Prospect for 2004, and includes the 260MW coup of its recent Barunga Wind Farm go-ahead, 90MW of which was approved on behalf of a client.

This remarkable year in Australia follows on from an equally noteworthy 2003, which saw UK based parent company Wind Prospect Ltd awarded the British Wind Energy Association's "Developer's Developer Award".

Managing Director Michael Vawser was very happy with the milestone, saying it was a vote of confidence for the company and the renewable industry in general:

"We have been very fortunate to be able to get this much wind energy beyond approval stage and into preconstruction. South Australians have responded particularly well to the call for renewable energy as a source of their power needs, and with our international experience plus the confidence of power suppliers, we are in a strong position to deliver the expert developments this industry needs."

Located on farm land in South Australia's mid-north region, the Hallett development will consist of at least four wind farms with up to 45 turbines on each, making 130 turbines in total. Those recently approved are the Brown Hill Range, The Bluff Range, Willogoleche Hill and Hallett Hill Wind Farms.

The energy supplied by the turbines will enable around 130,000 houses to have their domestic power needs sourced from clean green electricity.

Development Manager Doreen Marchesan said the approval of the four sites reflected the company's conscientious approach to development:

"Community issues and environmental concerns are particularly relevant in the area of renewable energy. Wind Prospect has endeavoured to provide comprehensive information to communities with wind developments in their vicinity, and has carried out extensive environmental checks beforehand."

2004 was an exceptional year for Wind Prospect, with almost undisputed approval for its development sites, all of which are located in South Australia.

Working in a climate of a 2 percent national Mandatory Renewable Energy Target, the company has carved a niche for itself as a consistently successful developer in a difficult market.

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