Once fully commissioned, the Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park will generate approximately 1,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean renewable energy directly into the national electricity grid per year, enough to power about 200,000 homes and save 470,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year according to DP Energy.
South Australia is recognised nationally as a leader in renewable energy, with around 35 per cent of Australia’s installed wind-generated power. Approval enables delivery of one of the largest hybrid renewable energy projects in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the installation of some 59 wind turbines and almost 400 hectares of solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays for a combined generation capacity of up to 375 MW. This one project will make a material contribution to South Australia achieving its low carbon investment target of $10 billion by 2025.
The wind resource is primarily driven by the temperature difference between the land and sea rather than by weather systems, and hence exhibits a regular early evening peak which is well aligned with the daily peak demand for electricity, says the company.
DP Energy’s CEO, Simon De Pietro said that “South Australia stands out as an ideal investment destination for DP Energy. The state has great natural resources in both wind and sun coupled with a clear regulatory framework, an excellent case management service (through Investment Attraction South Australia), and a professional and independent planning assessment process (through the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and the Development Assessment Commission). These factors have been invaluable in helping DP Energy to navigate the necessary approvals and bring this project to reality.”
“The Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park represents a new breed of renewable energy generation which will deliver the right power at the right time for energy consumers, and deliver economic benefit to the region and the State,” Mr De Pietro said.
The project CAPEX is estimated to be approximately $680 million, and will create 250 jobs over construction - peaking at some 600 over the height of that phase of the development, and 15-20 ongoing jobs, according to DP Energy.