AGL Energy Limited (AGL) announced today that it had entered into conditional arrangements for the construction of Macarthur Wind Farm in south-west Victoria. This follows the Federal government’s announcement last week of proposed changes to the operation of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme.

The Macarthur Wind Farm will be constructed under a joint venture between AGL and Meridian Energy Limited, one of New Zealand's largest energy companies. AGL will take all of the wind farm's energy output and renewable energy certificates.

The contractual arrangements are subject to a number of conditions precedent, including approval by the Boards of the joint venture partners. A key consideration of AGL's Board in approving the transaction will be certainty around the final form of the legislation to give effect to the Federal government's announced changes to the RET scheme.

When constructed, the Macarthur Wind Farm will comprise 174 Suzlon S88 turbines for a total capacity of 365MW, which is expected to deliver approximately 945 gigawatt hours of electricity each year. Construction is expected to take approximately 3 years from the time the conditions precedent have been satisfied. Full details of expected capital cost of construction will be announced separately after AGL has finally committed to construction.

About AGL

AGL is one of Australia's leading integrated renewable energy companies and is taking action toward creating a sustainable energy future for our investors, communities and customers. Drawing on 175 years of experience, AGL operates retail and merchant energy businesses, power generation assets and an upstream gas portfolio. AGL has one of Australia's largest retail energy and dual fuel customer bases. AGL has a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants, spread across traditional thermal generation as well as renewable sources including hydro, wind, landfill gas and biomass. AGL is Australia's largest private owner and operator of renewable energy assets and is looking to further expand this position by exploring a suite of low emission and renewable energy generation development opportunities.