Suzlon Energy Australia has announced plans to invest $1.3 billion building one of the world’s largest wind energy projects on the Yorke Peninsula.

 

The Suzlon Group – which is the world’s fifth largest wind turbine supplier with operations in 32 countries – is proposing to erect up to 180 turbines, 20 kilometres south-west of Ardrossan in what the company has called the Ceres Project.

 

The proposed project would be able to generate up to 600 megawatts (MW) directly into the metropolitan Adelaide grid via a High Voltage Direct Current connection across Gulf St Vincent.

 

Suzlon Energy Australia chief executive Dan Hansen revealed the planned Ceres Project was initiated by farmers and developers on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula.

 

South Australia already has 534 turbines installed producing 1,150MW of wind generating capacity which is more than 21% of the State’s total electricity generation and  54% of Australia's total wind power generating capacity.

 

The project is expect to create more than 500 direct jobs created in construction and 50 ongoing jobs over the following 25 years.

 

The company is currently preparing to implement a community engagement and environmental assessment program and, if approved, hopes to complete the project by end of 2015.