Australia’s largest wind farm, Coopers Gap, has begun generating electricity, with AGL announcing that the project remains on track for completion in the 2020 financial year.
Queensland’s Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Dr Anthony Lynham, inspected the Coopers Gap project on the Darling Downs with AGL General Manager Development and Construction, Dave Johnson.
“We’re pleased to announce that the Coopers Gap Wind Farm is generating electricity into the National Electricity Market,” Mr Johnson said.
“This is a significant milestone which is a credit to the hard work of everyone involved in this $850 million project including the owner, the Powering Australian Renewables Fund (PARF) and the construction consortium, GE – Catcon.
“It’s also important to acknowledge the support received from the Queensland Government, the Western Downs and South Burnett regional councils, and local landowners.
“The assistance of the Australian Energy Market Operator and Powerlink Queensland was particularly valuable in completing the connection of the wind farm to the grid.
“Although the commissioning process is continuing, with almost 50 of the 123 giant turbines installed, at full capacity the 453MW wind farm will generate enough renewable energy to power 264,000 average Australian homes.
“Importantly, the project is creating up to 200 jobs at the peak of construction, with a significant amount of money spent with local businesses and contractors, and up to 20 jobs once operational.
“As the largest ASX-listed investor in renewables and one of the shareholders in PARF, AGL is proud to now have more than 1,000MW of generation capacity from wind, a figure which will exceed 1,500MW once Cooper Gap reaches full capacity and is completed in the current financial year.”
