3 July 2007
Roaring 40s aims for one of World’s biggest wind farms in China
Leading Australian-based renewable energy company, Roaring 40s, recently signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with one of China’s largest energy generators, China Datang Corporation, to construct a 1,000 MW wind farm in the Jilin Province, China. Under the JDA, Roaring 40s and Datang will conduct a feasibility study of the project, with the aim of jointly developing once completed.
The Xiangyang project is planned to be constructed in several stages, with the first 400 MW stage intended to commence in early 2008. The AUD$640 million first stage is situated near the city of Baicheng, in North-east China. Once completed, the project would be the seventh wind energy project undertaken by Roaring 40s in China to date, three of which will have been with the China Datang Corporation.
At a proposed 1000 MW when fully developed, the Xiangyang project has the potential to become one of the world’s largest on-shore wind farms, surpassing the Horse Hollow project in the United States, currently generating 735 MW.
China Datang Corporation is a state-owned enterprise and is currently the second largest power generator in China with a total controlled installed capacity of over 55 GW (more than Australia’s entire generating capacity). China Datang Corporation is very active in developing renewable energy and currently has a number of on-going large wind energy developments throughout the country.
The JDA was signed recently in Changchun, in the Jilin Province, by Roaring 40s Managing Director, Mark Kelleher, and the Vice President of the Datang Jilin Power Generation Company Ltd, Mr Zhang Yan.
“The Xiangyang project firmly establishes Roaring 40s as the leading foreign renewable wind energy developer in China” said Mr Kelleher.
“For Roaring 40s, a young Australian company, to be undertaking a project of this scale is indicative of the foothold the company has managed to secure in this rapidly growing market. The project will contribute significantly to Roaring 40s international portfolio, and continue to build on the strong relationship that the company enjoys with the China Datang Corporation”
“The project is also further evidence that China is serious about its commitment to offset the impacts of climate change through the adoption of large-scale wind energy projects and Roaring 40s is pleased to be partnering with Datang to help China reach its renewable energy goals”