Australian integrated energy company Origin Energy Limited (Origin) and New Zealand's TrustPower announced the signing of Origin's largest ever wind power purchase agreement in which it will be supplied the renewable energy generated by TrustPower’s planned Snowtown II Wind Farm in South Australia. Snowtown II Wind Farm, which will comprise 90 turbines with an installed capacity of 270 MW, will be located approximately 160 km north west of Adelaide, adjacent to TrustPower's 100 MW Snowtown Wind Farm. Construction is expected to commence later this year, subject to the completion of a number of conditions precedent. Under the terms of the new 15-year agreement, Origin will be supplied with 100 % of the output and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from Snowtown II, which is expected to commence operations in 2014. Origin will pay only for the energy and RECS generated by the wind farm.
Origin Chief Executive Officer, Energy Markets, Frank Calabria said, "Origin is an active investor in the renewable energy sector and this new power purchase agreement will directly underpin the development of the Snowtown II Wind Farm." TrustPower Chief Executive Vince Hawksworth said, "TrustPower is delighted to have reached agreement with Origin, which represents a significant milestone for the Snowtown II project."
Photovoltaic Feed