Wind Energy

Wind energy in Australia: Thai firm will pay $572m for Aussie wind farm

The expansion by Ratchaburi’s subsidiary, Ratch-Australia Corporation, is aimed at staying in step with Australia’s future energy policies, Ratchaburi Electricity chief executive Noppol Milinthanggoon said.

The planned investment comes as Ratchaburi Electricity is moving to complete a $US813 million acquisition of Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund in raising its stake to 80 per cent by June 2012.

Noppol said Ratchaburi Electricity is to invest a further $US30.5 million in Ratch-Australia to meet the 80 per cent target from a current stake of 68 per cent.

A spokesperson for the company said the Australian offshoot will lead the expansion as part of the company’s offshore investment plans.

Ratch-Australia operates three wind power plants in Victoria at Starfish Hill, Toora and Windy Hill. Toora is said to be one of the world’s largest wind turbines and the second largest wind farm in Victoria.

The Toora operation has 12 wind turbines with a production capacity of 1.75 megawatts, meeting the power needs of 6600 families.

"We have a goal to invest in at least three wind energy projects with a total production volume of 200 megawatts from an existing 100 megawatt capacity," Noppol said.

He said the company was also looking to overhaul and expand the production capacity at Ratch-Australia’s existing plants.

Ratch-Australia Corporation currently oversees three natural gas power plants, two coal power plants and three wind power plants with a total production capacity of 1126 megawatts.

The company says it has firm agreements covering 90 per cent of the generated electricity to be purchased under contract over the next 11 years.

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