The Project

Overview

AGL Energy Limited, Australia's leading integrated renewable energy company and Australia's largest private owner, operator and developer of renewable generation assets is developing the AGL Bluff Wind Farm as part of AGL's commitment to build a sustainable energy future for all Australians.

The AGL Bluff Wind Farm is made up of 25 wind turbines that will provide renewable energy to the National Electricity Market for at least 25 years.

When complete the wind farm, located approximately 10km north west of the township of Hallett and 25km south east of Jamestown in the mid-north of South Australia, will provide capacity for 52.5 MW of renewable wind energy to its domestic, commercial and industrial customers.

The AGL Bluff Wind Farm will generate enough clean, green energy during periods of peak demand to power approximately 26,600 average South Australian households per year, with greenhouse gas emission savings of over 161,000 tonnes per annum.

The AGL Bluff Wind Farm will contribute to the Government's expanded Renewable Energy Targets, aimed at creating a sustainable energy future for all Australians. It will also make a significant contribution to AGL's obligations to supply renewable energy for the South Australian Desalination Plant.

Development

Stakeholder consultation is a very important part of the development process. We undertake a wide range of comprehensive studies that enable us to evaluate the potential of each site to determine the impact on ecology, landscape, cultural heritage, visual amenity and other environmental factors such as noise.

The AGL Bluff Wind Farm project underwent a robust development process resulting in a planning permit issued in November 2004.

Construction

AGL will commence construction in Q3 2010 with completion scheduled for Q4 2011.

Suzlon Energy Australia Pty Ltd (SEA) is the world's third largest wind turbine manufacturer and has been awarded the Engineer Procure & Construct (EPC) contract for the AGL Bluff Wind Farm project. They are currently undertaking detailed design activities for the AGL Bluff Wind Farm and will manufacture and construct the turbines and associated infrastructure.

AGL and SEA have valuable experience in developing and delivering wind farm projects, with our Hallett Stage 1, 2 and 4 Wind Farms in South Australia receiving positive attention locally and across the globe.

There will be 25 SUZLON S88 turbines at the AGL Bluff Wind Farm with a capacity of 2.1MW each. The total output from the wind farm is therefore 52.5MW.

Turbines will be constructed of materials that minimise the visual impact on the landscape, including coloured finishes that blend with the landscape and which are non-reflective.

The concrete footings will be approximately 7m in diameter and 2.5m deep. Stability is achieved through the use of post-tensioned rock anchors, which effectively 'clamp' the foundation to the ground.

Environmental Benefits

The AGL Bluff Wind Farm will save approximately 161,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year from being emitted into the atmosphere. It will contribute to the Federal Government's expanded Renewable Energy Target which aims to have 20% of the country's electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020.

The Wind Farm has a payback period of 'embodied energy' of less than six months, meaning that the total amount of carbon emissions created during construction of the farm will be offset by operation within this time.

Water is always a concern in Australia, but it is particularly important in areas such as the mid-north of South Australia. Wind Energy is the most benign form of electricity generation when it comes to water use. Virtually zero water is used during the operational phase of a wind farm. Some water is used during the construction phase for dust suppression and concrete; however, this is negligible compared to the amount of water used to generate electricity from steam turbines which use coal as fuel.

Key Statistics

Spotlight On...

Steve Martin

Site Manager,
Bluff Wind Farm.