- First GE Wind Farm in Australia to be Located in Geraldton
- GE-Leighton Contractors Consortium Awarded $130 Million Contract
- Renewable Energy a Key to Western Australia Government's Long-Range Power Generation Plans
PERTH, AUSTRALIA---June 20, 2011---A consortium including GE (NYSE: GE) and Australian company Leighton Contractors has received a $130 million contract to supply and install 22 GE 2.5-100 wind turbines for the Mumbida Wind Farm. The project, located 40 kilometers southeast of Geraldton, marks the first use of GE wind turbines in the Australia/New Zealand region.
The Mumbida Wind Farm is a 50/50 partnership between Verve Energy, a Western Australia government-owned utility, and Macquarie Capital. The wind farm will generate 55 megawatts of renewable electricity for the South West Interconnected System, which the partnership estimates to be enough energy to power approximately 35,000 homes and offset about 165,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year. The Mumbida Wind Farm will support the Western Australian government's Energy 2031 Strategy that is designed to meet the state's rapidly growing energy requirements with clean, reliable power.
"As our first wind project in the region, this is a significant milestone for GE," said Tim Rourke, CEO of GE Energy, Australia and New Zealand. "We are pleased to be playing an active role in the renewable energy market and in the nation's endeavors to reduce its carbon footprint. We look forward to working with the Verve Energy and Macquarie Capital joint venture to provide the advanced technology that will deliver renewable electricity into the Southwest."
The GE 2.5 series wind turbine is designed for a high level of reliability and offers advanced grid integration features. "With these capabilities, the 2.5-100 wind turbine can take maximum advantage of the exceptional wind resources in Western Australia. It is a natural fit with the requirements for long-term renewable energy supply in the region," he added.
Designed to yield the highest annual energy production in their class, GE's 2.5-100 wind turbines have logged more than 2.3 million operating hours in Europe and Asia and have been selected for the world's largest wind project, Shepherds Flat in Oregon, U.S.A. In addition to supplying the wind turbines for the Mumbida Wind Farm, GE will provide a full range of maintenance services for 10 years.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is an advanced technology, services and finance company taking on the world's toughest challenges. Dedicated to innovation in energy, health, transportation and infrastructure, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
GE also serves the energy sector by providing technology and service solutions that are based on a commitment to quality and innovation. The company continues to invest in new technology solutions and grow through strategic acquisitions to strengthen its local presence and better serve customers around the world. The businesses that comprise GE Energy www.ge.com/energy---GE Power & Water, GE Energy Services and GE Oil & Gas---work together with more than 90,000 global employees and 2010 revenues of $38 billion, to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; as well as other alternative fuels and new grid modernization technologies to meet 21st century energy needs.
Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
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Ken Darling
Masto Public Relations
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1-518-786-6488
GE news Elizabeth Rex*
Masto Public Relations
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GE Energy (Australia)
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