Goldwind to fight turbine removal order for 165.5-MW Aussie wind farm - report

Oct 23, 2014 - Chinese firm Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology (HKG:2208) will launch court action against an order to remove nine turbines of its 165.5-MW Gullen Range wind farm in New South Wales, Australia.

The developer plans to contest the order of the New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment in the state's Land and Environment Court, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said Thursday. It has time until the end of the month to do so. According to Goldwind’s CEO John Titchen, who was cited by the ABC, the environmental impact assessment allows for the minor movements that have been implemented.

This spring, the government body determined that 69 of the farm’s 73 turbines have been installed at locations that differ from those in the original plan, which is in breach of the approval granted in 2012. Certain turbines have also been erected at spots up to 187 metres (614 ft) off target, while some are closer to homes than permitted. Following the determination, Goldwind’s Aussie unit applied for a modification to retrospectively approve new location of the turbines. Its request, however, was turned down by the state Planning Assessment Commission earlier this month. The Planning Department then issued a draft order for the removal of the nine machines, which Godlwind can oppose by the end of October.

The Chinese firm initially planned to complete the wind project by the middle of 2014. It has already brought online most of the machines, including some 2.5-MW PMDD generators, while the rest are being wired for operation, according to an earlier ABC report. In July, Goldwind said it will sell the Gullen Range project to a 25/75 joint venture with Beijing Jingneng Clean Energy Co Ltd (HKG:0579).

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