The Project
Overview
AGL Energy Limited, Australia's leading renewable energy company and private owner, operator and developer of renewable generation assets is developing the AGL Oaklands Hill Wind Farm as part of AGL's commitment to build a sustainable energy future for all Australians.
The AGL Oaklands Hill Wind Farm is made up of 32 wind-turbines that will provide renewable energy to the National Electricity Market for at least 25 years.
When complete the wind farm, located 3km south of Glenthompson in Western Victoria, will provide 63 MW of renewable wind energy to its domestic, commercial and industrial customers.
The AGL Oaklands Hill Wind Farm will generate enough clean, green energy during periods of peak demand to power approximately 35,000 average Australian households per year, with a greenhouse gas emission savings of over 185,000 tonnes per annum.
The AGL Oaklands Hill Wind Farm will contribute to the government's expanded
Renewable Energy Targets, aimed at creating a sustainable energy future for all Australians.
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 Oaklands Hill Wind Farm project has undergone a robust development process resulting in a planning permit issued in 2008.
Construction
AGL commenced construction in mid 2010 with completion scheduled for early 2012.
Suzlon Energy Australia Pty Ltd (SEA) is one of the worlds largest wind turbine manufacturer and has been awarded the Engineer Procure & Construct (EPC) contract for the AGL Oaklands Hill Wind Farm project. They have designed the AGL Oaklands Hill Wind Farm and will manufacture and construct the turbines and associated infrastructure.
AGL and SEA have valuable experience in developing wind farm projects, with our Hallett Wind Farms in South Australia receiving positive attention locally and across the globe.
There will be 32 SUZLON S88 turbines at the AGL Oaklands Hill Wind Farm with a capacity of 2.1MW each. The total output from the wind farm is capped at 63MW, which allows for at least one turbine to be off line at any time for service or maintenance.
Turbines will be constructed of materials that minimize 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 20m in diameter and will be underground, allowing for maximum turbine stability.
View updates relating to the AGL Oaklands Hill Wind Farm.
Environmental Benefits
The AGL Oaklands Hill Wind Farm will save approximately 185,000 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 approximately five months, meaning that the total amount of carbon emissions created during construction of the farm will be offset by operation within five months.
Key statistics
| Total output capacity (constrained) | 63MW |
| Individual turbine capacity | 2.1MW |
| Turbine type | SUZLON S88 |
| Turbine height | 80m |
| Max blade tip height | 124m |
| Truck journeys during construction | TBA |
| Length of on-site access tracks | 26km |
| Length of underground cables | 26km |
| Concrete | 10,240m3 |
| Steel for towers | 5,460t |
| Greenhouse gases saved each year | 185,000t |
| Average houses powered each year | 35,000 |
