Union Fenosa Wind Australia (UFWA), the Australian subsidiary of Gas Natural Fenosa, is progressing its plans to construct and operate the Hawkesdale and Ryan Corner wind farm projects in south west Victoria. The investment for the combined wind farm projects is in excess of $400 million, and the projects will provide approximately 150 full-time equivalent employment in the region during the construction phase, and also approximately 20 full-time equivalent employment during the operation phase.

Both projects were rigorously assessed through the independent planning panel process, and received support by the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) and the Moyne Council in 2007-2008.

Unfortunately, since both projects were approved, several factors including some outside the control of UFWA, have affected the originally planned timing for delivering these projects:

  • There have been delays in determining the suitable network connections as a result of Australian Energy Market Operator plans for grid hub arrangements.
  • The delay in having a clearly defined framework for Large Scale Renewable projects has resulted also in volatility in the Renewable Energy Certificates and power purchase markets. This has impeded the investment and progress of the project.
  • In 2009 UFWA proposed a slight redesigned to the turbine envelope and in August 2010 received the secondary consent from the Minister for Planning to vary the turbine height and rotor diameter.
  • The Environmental Management Plans and the final Development Plans were submitted to DPCD for endorsement in late 2010 and during March-May 2011 respectively.
  • UFWA prepared the detailed design package for both projects in December 2010, majority of this work has already been completed now and a construction tender process for an early works package has been completed and the successful contractor to be given site possession once the Construction Permit for the projects has been received from DPCD.

We anticipate the market conditions to improve from now and enable the projects to commence the major construction activities either late this year or early next year.

Taking all into consideration and due to time limitations on the original permits, UFWA requested the extension of the permits until 2012.