Germany looks at wind farm investment in Australia

3 August 2009

The tremendous growth in Australia’s installed wind farm capacity – over fifty per cent in the past year – makes the country an attractive investment location for international companies involved in wind farm developments.

In Berlin recently, participants at the first ‘Wind Down Under Conference’ explored investment opportunities in this sector.

At the conference, organised by the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Austrade Investment Manager Stefan Augustin explained the state of the current market and the growth potential for this industry in Australia.

Reference was made to the Silverton Wind Farm development - a joint venture between the German company EPURON Pty Ltd and Macquarie Capital Wind Fund Pty Ltd.

Located in far western New South Wales, the Silverton Wind Farm will involve the construction and operation of up to 598 wind turbines, with a planned capacity in excess of 1,000 MW.

Silverton will be the biggest wind farm in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest in the world. In an average year it is expected to be able to supply clean, renewable electricity for up to 430,000 homes and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 3,500,000 tonnes per annum. Construction will begin in 2010.