Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd opens Capital Wind Farm
Project powered by 67 Suzlon S88 - 2.1 MW wind turbines 141 MW wind farm among Australia's largest
-- Suzlon today celebrated the official opening of Infigen Energy's Capital Wind Farm in Bungendore in New South Wales by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The 67 turbine wind farm, located just outside Australia's capital Canberra, was delivered by Suzlon through a client-friendly turnkey contract that covered Engineering, Procurement and Construction.
Dan Hansen, CEO of Suzlon Energy Australia, said: "Our team of experienced power industry professionals valued the opportunity to work with Infigen Energy to deliver another sustainable power plant in Australia. The successful commissioning of the Capital Wind Farm demonstrates the real and important role that wind energy has to play in a low carbon economy."
As one of Australia's largest wind farms Capital will produce clean energy to power the Sydney Water desalination plant and avoid the emission of approximately 390,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year.
The wind farm has provided an important boost for clean energy jobs and investment in the local economy. Infigen invested more than half the total value of the project in Australian products and services, such as the steel wind turbine towers. The wind farm will continue to provide clean energy jobs for the life of the project to meet the ongoing service and maintenance requirements.
The Capital Wind Farm also plays a role in helping shape the clean energy jobs of the future. Through a ground-breaking partnership between Suzlon and RMIT, the wind farm was host to Australia's first wind farm electrical apprentices. Through this program, ten pioneer apprentices will soon possess qualifications that will equip them to make a real contribution to the renewable energy industry.
As part of an extensive program to rehabilitate the land, up to 6,000 trees have been planted by Trees for Earth. Suzlon is pleased to be involved in this project which will boost farm production, repair damaged land and is an excellent model for future wind farm development.
Commenting on the opening, Mr. Tulsi Tanti, Chairman of Suzlon Energy Limited, said: "The Capital Wind Farm is an important milestone towards Australia's commitment to making the transition to a low carbon economy and I welcome the Australian government's ongoing support for renewable energy. We are happy to work with Infigen to provide clean, renewable energy. The wind farm is a step towards a greener future generating significant employment opportunities and benefits to the local business and communities."
Notes to Editor
About Suzlon Energy Australia
Suzlon Energy Australia Pty. Ltd, the Australia and New Zealand arm of Suzlon Energy Limited, is the largest turnkey constructor, operator and maintenance service provider of grid-connected wind farms in Australia. Suzlon's current Australian commitments will see over 700 MW of wind energy delivered in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.
About Suzlon Energy Limited
Suzlon ranked as the world's third* leading wind turbine supplier in terms of market share in 2008. Suzlon has ranked as the leading manufacturer in the Indian market for ten consecutive years, maintaining over 50 per cent market share. Suzlon has its corporate offices in Pune, India and the company's global spread is reflected in its projects and markets portfolio - extending across Asia, Australia, Europe and North and South America. Suzlon is a highly vertically integrated wind turbine manufacturer with manufacturing capability along the full value chain - from components to complete wind turbine systems. For more information on Suzlon, please visit: www.suzlon.com.
NOTES:
* Suzlon and REpower, if taken together, stand as the world's third leading wind turbine supplier group in terms of market share. Market share of 12.3 per cent is derived from BTM Consult ApS World Market Update 2008, ranking Suzlon with 9 per cent of global market share and REpower with 3.3 per cent of global market share.
About Infigen Energy
Infigen Energy is Australia's leading specialist renewable energy business which owns and operates wind farms in Australia, the Unites States, Germany and France. Infigen listed on the Australian Securities Exchange on 28 October 2005 and has a market capitalisation of approximately A$1.2 billion. Infigen's business comprises interests in 41 wind farms that have a total installed capacity of approximately 2,246MW and are diversified by wind resource, currency, equipment supplier, off-take arrangements and regulatory regime. For more information on Infigen, please visit: www.infigenenergy.com.