 |
|
||
 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
   | 
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Winds of change stir energy marketBy Samantha Broun for CNN  Wind power is a cost-effective way to generate clean energy. YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSSYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Energy company AGL will spend Aust. $236 million ($177 million) to build Australia's largest wind farm. The site, at Hallett 220 kilometers (137 miles) north of the South Australian state capital Adelaide, will generate 95MW -- enough electricity to power more than 50,000 homes. AGL managing director Greg Martin said Tuesday that Hallett was an ideal place for a wind farm. It had one of the largest wind resources on the Australian mainland and was close to a high voltage power line. It will be built next to AGL's existing 180MW gas-fired power station. "The Hallett wind farm will help AGL meet its commitment to increase the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources," Martin said. It would also allow AGL to develop an integrated gas-fired power plant and wind farm facility to meet peak demand. Construction of the wind farm begins September this year. The plant is expected to be operational by December 2007. Proponents of wind power say it is a cost- effective way to generate clean energy and has the potential to play a key role in meeting part of Australia's energy needs. According to the Australian Wind Energy Association, Australia has a wind generation capacity of 471MW now, with a target to reach 5000MW by 2010. This would be the equivalent of powering 2.3 million homes. AGL is Australia's largest energy producer, distributor and retailer. In October last year it announced plans to split into two companies, by separating its retail and energy assets from its infrastructure assets. The plan will go to shareholders for approval in March. AGL shares are down 2.1 percent to A$18.01 near the close of trade Tuesday. 
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
| © 2007 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us. Site Map. |
|
External sites open in new window; not endorsed by CNN.com
Pay service with live and archived video. 
