Construction will begin in July with completion anticipated in December 2011. It will create more than 120 jobs for the region during the construction phase.

Hallett 5 will consist of 25 s88 V3 turbines (2.1MW each) to be purchased from Suzlon Energy Australia Pty Ltd (Suzlon) at a total development cost of approximately $120 million.

AGL Managing Director Michael Fraser said:“The construction of the Hallett 5 wind farm is necessary to supply our long term renewable energy contracts, which include the South Australian desalination plant, the Victorian desalination plant and as announced this week, the Melbourne Water Corporation.

“AGL is proud of our involvement with the Hallett community and is pleased to reaffirm our commitment to establish a Community Fund program for $15,000 per year from the commencement of construction of the wind farm to the end of its operational life.”

Hallett 5 is located approximately 185km north of Adelaide, about 5km east of Hallett 1 wind farm which opened in mid 2008.

AGL manages Australia’s largest privately owned or operated portfolio of renewable generation assets. By the end of this year, AGL will own or operate approximately 1,200 MW of renewable energy generation assets, with approximately 2,300 MW of further renewable generation development opportunities. AGL is Australia’s largest listed owner, operator and developer of renewable generation.

The Hallett 2 wind farm (71 MW) is in the commissioning phase, Hallett 4 (132 MW) is under construction and Hallett 3 (80 MW) is in development.

Further information for the community about AGL’s Hallett wind farms is available at the AGL Information Centre in Burra.