Australia
Infigen Energy is the leading wind energy generation owner and operator in Australia. Infigen Energy's Australian business comprises the Lake Bonney 1, Lake Bonney 2, Lake Bonney 3, Alinta and Capital wind farms, with a totalled installed capacity of 508MW. Of particular note is the Lake Bonney (stages 1, 2 and 3) wind farm which is the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere, with 112 turbines and a total installed capacity of 278.5MW. In addition, Infigen’s Capital wind farm is the largest in NSW and the largest renewable energy project commissioned in NSW since the Snowy Hydro Scheme.
Infigen Energy has a mix of long-term Power Purchase Agreements and market sales arrangements in place for its Australian wind farms.
The Australian wind energy industry is poised for further significant growth. Legislation mandating an expanded national Renewable Energy Target (RET) was enacted in August 2009. The Government’s RET scheme is designed to ensure that 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020. Further amendments to the expanded national Renewable Energy Target (RET) were passed through Parliament on the 24 June 2010. The legislation now provides for just over 90% of the expanded RET target to be met by efficient large scale renewable energy projects.