China project first of three for Tasmanian

Launceston Examiner
Wednesday 18/10/2006, Page: 10

Renewable energy company Roaring 40s yesterday commissioned the first of three wind projects in China. A ceremony in Beijing was held to mark the start of the $80 million,
49.3MW Shuangliao wind farm, a joint venture between Roaring 40s and China Datang Corporation.

Roaring 40s expansion in Tasmania has been frustrated by the Australia Government's lukewarm attitude towards wind energy. The Hydro Tasmania-China Light and Power joint venture is making inroads overseas.

Earlier this year, Roaring 40s managing director Mark Kelleher complained that energy companies were being forced to invest offshore because Australia lagged behind international renewable energy targets.

Roaring 40s is busy constructing the second stage of its Woolnorth wind farm, but it has put other Tasmanian projects on hold. "The current project outlook in Australia is not strong," Mr Kelleher said from China yesterday.

"Roaring 40s hopes that, having seen what can be done in China, Environment Minister Ian Campbell will be encouraged to consider policies in Australia." The Shuangliao development, in North-East China, will generate enough power to supply the needs of more than 300,000 people.

It will also contribute towards a push to source 15 per cent of China's energy from renewable sources by 2020. The wind farm boasts 58,850KW turbine generators and was completed 12 months after the first sod was turned.

Mr Kelleher said the project underpinned Roaring 40s' entry into the Chinese market and showed that an Australian developer could be a major player in an emerging global wind energy market.

"The completion of the Shuangliao wind farm has allowed Roaring 40s to build a successful partnership with the China Datang Corporation and we are already investigating a number of other potential developments," he said.