AGL Energy : to update the community on Coopers Gap Wind Farm

Wednesday, 29 June 2016

AGL Energy Limited (AGL) will provide the community with an update on the proposed Coopers Gap Wind Farm in southern Queensland at a Community Consultative Committee (CCC) meeting on Thursday 30 June, 2016. Discussion will include planning for a visit by local community members to AGL's existing wind farms and the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Coopers Gap project, which is currently on exhibition.

Coopers Gap Wind Farm project manager, Neil Cooke, said the Office of the Coordinator General has placed the TOR on public exhibition until 11 July 2016, providing everyone with a chance to submit comments.

'This is your chance to have your say. We believe it's important that the public and government agencies utilise this opportunity and provide submissions, as feedback will inform the development of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is required for the project.

'After that, the EIS will then go on public exhibition for further feedback,' Mr Cooke said.

The CCC meeting will be held at the Bell Bunya Community Centre, 71 Maxwell Street, Bell from 1-3pm. Mr Cooke encouraged the community to attend tomorrow's CCC meeting to learn more about what could be the largest wind farm in Queensland.

'Some members of the community have had questions about what a wind farm looks and feels like. So to help answer some of these questions we'll host a trip for several CCC and community members to our two Victorian wind farms so they can experience first-hand a wind farm in operation. We'll discuss this trip further at tomorrow's meeting,' explained Mr Cooke.

The Coopers Gap Wind Farm project is AGL's foremost renewable energy project in Queensland. While there is some time to go before a final decision can be made on whether the project proceeds to construction, it is hoped that if it proceeds it would be financed through AGL's Powering Australian Renewables Fund, which is currently being established.

The Coopers Gap Wind Farm is proposed to have a capacity of up to 350 MW, which would produce approximately 1,100 GWh of renewable energy, powering more than 190,000 average Australian homes. The renewable energy produced would reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 860,000 tonnes annually, which is the equivalent of taking over 250,000 cars off the road each year.

About AGL
AGL is one of Australia's leading integrated energy companies. It is taking action to responsibly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while providing secure and affordable energy to its customers. Drawing on over 175 years of experience, AGL serves its customers throughout eastern Australia with meeting their energy requirements, including gas, electricity, solar PV and related products and services. AGL has a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants, spread across traditional thermal generation as well as renewable sources including hydro, wind, solar, landfill gas and biomass.