Spain - Union Fenosa to double Australian wind power

Spanish energy company Union Fenosa SA will invest 1.9 billion Australian dollars ($1.2 billion) to double Australia's wind farm power generation by 2013, an official said Monday.

In announcing the investment, Trade Minister Simon Crean said the seven wind farms will boost Australia's clean energy capabilities and help reduce the nation's greenhouse gas emissions while creating 225 construction jobs.

"As well as directly creating badly needed jobs in regional areas, Union Fenosa Wind Australia's facilities will boost growth in the local industry, creating new business and jobs to supply parts, maintenance and other services during their whole life cycle,'' Crean said in a statement.

On completion in 2013, the seven wind farms in New South Wales and Victoria states will generate 850 megawatts of electricity and more than double Australia's wind power capacity. Australian wind farms currently generate 824 megawatts.

The government aims to have at least 20 percent of Australia's electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020 and will announce this month its target for reducing the nation's greenhouse gas emissions by that year.

Australia is among the world's worst greenhouse gas emitters per capita because of its heavy reliance on abundant reserves of coal for electricity.

For more information, please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net