Suzlon opens wind farm in Australia

Wind energy major Suzlon Energy has officially opened Infigen Energy’s Capital wind farm, the largest wind farm in Australia at Bungendore in New South Wales.

The 67-turbine wind farm, located near Australia’s capital Canberra, was delivered by Suzlon through a turnkey contract that covered engineering, procurement and construction. The farm will produce 141 Megawatt (Mw) of energy, according to a press release.

Infigen Energy, formerly known as Babcock and Brown Wind Partners Group, is an Australia-based company with wind energy assets in Australia, United States, Germany and France.

“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,” Suzlon Energy Chairman Tulsi Tanti said.

The wind farm was inaugurated by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Suzlon Energy Australia, the Australia and New Zealand arm of Suzlon Energy, is the largest turnkey constructor, operator and maintenance service provider of grid-connected wind farms in Australia. Suzlon’s current Australian commitments are over 700 Mw of wind energy delivered in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.

Suzlon’s Australian contracts are valued in excess of A$1.2 billion (over Rs 4,800 crore) and will see power generation of 700 Mw, enough to power over 400,000 homes, Suzlon Energy Australia Chief Executive Dan Hansen had disclosed in an e-mail to Business Standard two months ago.

Suzlon, the third-largest wind turbine maker in the world, has installed more than 200 Suzlon S88 2.1 model turbines that are generating over 430 Mw of electricity at four wind farms in South Australia. In addition, Suzlon has current contract commitments to commission a further 275 Mw by 2010, he had said.