January 22, 2008 (News.com.au) – Origin Energy has partnered with wind generation developers Epuron to develop 590 MegaWatt wind farm projects in New South Wales.
The fist project will be the construction of the 30 MW Cullerin Range wind farm in NSW, about 30 kilometres west if Gouldburn.Origin expects to start commissioning of the wind farm next year.
Origin chief operating officer Karen Moses said the deal, which is the firm’s first generation investment in NSW, would allow Origin to build its own wind facilities for the first time.
“It provides Origin with greater flexibility in managing our carbon, retail and generation portfolios,” she said.
When fully operational, the Cullerin Range will save about 100,000 tonnes of carbon per year or provide enough renewable electricity to power nearly 15,000 average homes in NSW, Origin said.
The Cullerin Range wind farm is one of three permitted sites in NSW, including the 30 MW Conory’s Gap site and the 30 MW Snowy Plains site, where Origin has also acquired the rights to develop these projets.
“Origin is well placed to make significant contribution to helping reduce the carbon intensity of the Australian economy and the Federal Government meet its 20 per cent renewables target by 2020,” Ms Moses said.
Other recent investments and initiatives in the renewable space by Origin include its joint venture with hot rocks geothermal developer Geodynamics, research and development of SLIVER solar technology, and the development of its Carbon Reduction Scheme and other offset products.
Origin also hold a 51.4 per cent stake in New Zealand’s Contact Energy, which is looking to inject $2 billion into wind and geothermal projects over the next five years.
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