The Audax Alpine Classic road cycling event, which will take place in the picturesque surrounds of Bright, in regional Victoria, this weekend will, for the third year running, be proudly sponsored by AGL Energy Limited. The ride is made possible by AGL‟s upgrade of the Bogong High Plains Road as part of the Bogong Power Station construction which opened in November 2009. AGL‟s $230 million, 140 MW zero emissions Bogong Power Station is the largest hydro electricity project in mainland Australia in the past 25 years.

It provides renewable electricity to more than 120,000 homes during peak summer demand and the renewable electricity generated each year abates in excess of 88,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

AGL General Manager Merchant Operations, Dale Blampied, said, "AGL is delighted to be able to support a great event in a community which is such a vital part of our position as Australia‟s leading integrated renewable energy company."

"AGL prides itself on building strong relationships with the local communities in which we work and invest. With the Bogong Power Station now operational, sponsoring the Audax Alpine Classic is a timely opportunity for us to reinforce our support for the local community," he said."

This year AGL is also offering Audax participants the chance to win a trip for two to see the Tour de France in July this year."

The Audax Alpine Classic is regarded as the toughest single-day non-competitive event in Australia and is held on the Australia Day weekend each year over six distance options ranging from 70 kilometres and 250 kilometres. A team of riders from AGL will be participating this year."

The Bonjour Bright free French festival will be held in conjunction with the Classic, offering movie viewings, food, wine and a wide range of other activities for the riders‟ families and friends and for the local community. AGL will be running a 'pedal power' competition, where participants try and generate the most power in three minutes on our Energy in Action stationary bike to win a $500 Abbotsford Cycles gift voucher.

AGL will also have open the AGL Hydro Information Centre, which has been constructed at the Bogong Power Station for the local community, school groups and travelers.

Notes to editors:

  • The AGL Hydro Information Centre is situated on Bogong High Plains Rd, Bogong, approximately 40 minutes drive from Bright. It is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday-Sunday from 11am to 3pm.
  • The Information Centre is a state of the art facility showcasing the early construction of the Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme and the important role the Scheme plays today in Australia.
  • It houses engineering models, geological and historical exhibits, a water wall and a life-size educational puzzle for children, a gallery wall displaying the history of the Kiewa Scheme, floor-to-ceiling viewing windows into the power station, computers and a 3D animation of the Bogong Power Station.
  • Entry is free.

About AGL

AGL is one of Australia's leading integrated energy companies and is taking action toward creating a sustainable energy future for our investors, communities and customers. Drawing on over 170 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.