TrustPower began investigating Wind Farm sites in Australia in 2001. Initial efforts focused on the South Australia region, due to its strong wind resource and proximity to transmission and load centres.

TrustPower now owns and operates a wind farm in Snowtown in South Australia, where it is also considering further development. TrustPower is also investigating wind generation opportunities in four other Australian states.

Australia’s per capita emissions are among the highest in the world and the highest in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development); largely due to the reliance upon fossil fuels as a primary source of energy (more than 40% of Australia’s total primary energy supply is derived from coal). The carbon dioxide emissions intensity of Australia’s electricity supply is the highest of any OECD country (Garnaut Climate Change Review, June 2008).

The Australian Government has recognised the serious implications of climate change and proposed significant reforms to address this. In December 2007, the Government ratified the Kyoto Protocol, and this ratification came into effect in March 2008.

The Government has committed to 20% of Australia’s electricity supply coming from renewable sources by 2020. In June 2008, the Government unveiled its ‘Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme’, an integral part of its climate change strategy.

TrustPower is actively identifying and developing potential Wind Farm sites throughout Australia, including sites in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.