Origin Energy and ACCIONA Energy declares a long-term power purchase agreement that will see Origin play a key role in the commercialisation of Australia’s largest wind farm at Waubra in western Victoria.

The Waubra Wind Farm is owned and being built by ACCIONA Energy, a world leader in the renewable energy sector and will generate 192 megawatts (MW) - enough green energy to provide for 143,000 households each year.

Origin Chief Operating Officer, Karen Moses said the agreement with ACCIONA Energy was support for the transition to a lower-emissions economy.

“Wind energy is currently one of the most cost-effective and fastest-growing sources of renewable energy in the world, each megawatt hour (MWh) of wind energy generated avoids producing one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions*,” said Ms Moses.

“This agreement demonstrates Origin’s commitment to supporting a broad range of renewable energy sources to help reach our renewable energy targets.”

Under the agreement, Origin will be supplied with renewable energy and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to support its mandatory obligations under the Government’s Renewable Energy Target.

Origin’s purchase of the output from the Waubra Wind Farm will help to meet growing customer demand for GreenPower. Origin has the largest number of green customers in Australia, with more than 423,000 accredited GreenPower and GreenGas accounts.

ACCIONA Energy Oceania Managing Director, Brett Thomas said the Waubra Wind Farm, 35km north-west of Ballarat, would generate more than enough green energy to power the city of Ballarat and avoid up to 635,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year.

Mr Thomas said, “We are committed to renewable energy as part of a sustainable future. ACCIONA has a significant portfolio of wind energy projects in development in Australia, to complement Waubra and our existing facility at Cathedral Rocks in South Australia. In addition, we are planning to build a large scale solar thermal plant in Australia, similar to the landmark 64MW Nevada Solar One plant built by ACCIONA recently in the United States. Our agreement with Origin demonstrates that large scale renewable projects are viable and can be delivered to meet Australia’s growing energy needs while reducing greenhouse emissions.”

“In delivering green energy, Victoria is directly benefiting from regional development and job creation because ACCIONA Energy is committed to using local construction and manufacturing skills and sourcing local materials,” he added.

Tags: Origin Energy