China wind giant buys 100MW wind project in NSW

The international lure of Australia’s large-scale renewable energy market has been demonstrated once again, after a 100MW wind farm, proposed for development in the Southern Tablelands region of NSW, was snapped up by a China-owned company late last week.

Beijing Jingneng Clean Energy Australia (BJCE Australia) said on Friday it had successfully completed its acquisition of the 31-turbine Biala Wind Farm, in a deal with local family-owned business Newtricity.

BJCE said Biala, which is proposed for a site located 45 minutes from Goulburn, would add to its portfolio in the area, which included a 75 per cent share in the 165MW Gullen Range Wind Farm, and in the co-located 10MW Gullen Solar Farm, which last month started supplying energy to the grid.

BJCE, which arrived on the scene in Australia in 2014, says it plans to have a 1GW portfolio here by the end of 2020, to add to its current operating renewables portfolio of 3.3GW in China – where it is the leading supplier of wind power.

“This is an exciting time for BJCE in Australia,” said BJCE Australia general manager, Weiwei Shi, in comments on Friday.

“We look forward to constructing and operating the Biala Wind Farm, working closely with local stakeholders, providing clean electricity and job opportunities to the local community.”

The company plans to begin construction of the wind farm in mid 2018, with electricity being generated in the second quarter of 2019.