Premier Rann opens 56.7MW Clements Gap Wind Farm

The South Australian Premier, Mike Rann, has officially opened Pacific Hydro's first South Australian project, the Clements Gap Wind Farm, in a ceremony which celebrated the project's success due to proactive State government policies, an enthusiastic community and key contractors. 

The 56.7 megawatt (MW) Clements Gap Wind Farm, in South Australia's mid north, will produce electricity equivalent to the energy needs of around 30,000 homes annually, abate around five million tonnes of greenhouse gas during the project's operation and inject over $1 million dollars into local community organisations over the life of the project.

Pacific Hydro general manger for the Australia, Mr Lane Crockett, said the opening of the project marked a significant and important milestone for the Company and that the project's success was due to a strong and dynamic community.

"The success of this project is thanks the unwavering enthusiasm from the local community, fantastic support from progressive local and state governments and 425 South Australians who helped build the project ", said Mr Crockett.

"We are very proud to add this South Australian project to our significant portfolio of quality projects in Australia and congratulate everyone involved."

South Australia is well known for its fantastic wind resources which contribute around 50% of Australia's total wind energy production. But it's the enthusiastic community support for renewable energy and the South Australian government policy which aims to see 33% of the State's electricity come from renewable sources by 2020, that is fast building South Australia's reputation as the renewable energy hub of the nation. 

"Pacific Hydro is proud to be making a contribution to the evolution of South Australia which not only enjoys fantastic opportunities for wind energy, but solar thermal and geothermal energy as well", added Mr Crockett.

Pacific Hydro is hoping to move forward on another two South Australian wind energy projects and further develop its interest in geothermal resources but for the moment, any further investment is stalled by the issues plaguing the Federal Renewable Energy Target (RET) legislation.

"We are working with the Federal Government to resolve the issues within the RET as unless they are fixed, we are unable to move forward with any more of our projects in South Australia or the rest of the country", said Mr Crockett.

The Clements Gap Wind Farm is located towards the north of the Spencer Gulf in South Australia.

The 56.7MW project comprises of 27 x 2.1MW Suzlon wind generators, 17 km of permanent access roads, 15.5km of 132kV power line and a 33/132kV transformer.