WESTERN Australia’s largest renewable energy project has begun producing electricity three months ahead of schedule.
Collgar Wind Farm says the initial power generated from its $750 million wind energy project, near Merredin, would be relatively small, as wind turbine and network stability tests are completed.
Once testing is completed, the wind farm will ramp up significantly as more turbines are brought into production.
Construction of the wind farm is on schedule, Collgar says, with 80 of the project’s 111 wind turbines fully erected.
Collgar said it expected construction to be completed by the end of August, and full energy production capability would be achieved by December.
Collgar chief executive Alistair Craib said the initial generation of power was a very significant milestone for the project.
“It is a testament to the pro-active and cooperative spirit that Collgar has managed to enjoy with its key counterparties Vestas, Western Power, Synergy and the Merredin Shire that we have been able to reach this milestone with very few hiccups and significantly ahead of schedule,” Mr Craib said.
“Importantly, it means that the wind farm is now highly likely to be fully available during the peak summer demand months of 2011-12.”
Western Power completed a $20 million project to connect it into the SWIS last month.
Banking group UBS’s International Infrastructure Fund and the REST superannuation fund are joint owners of Collgar.
