A debt finance commitment of up to AU$120 million from the CEFC is demonstrating the bankability of large-scale renewable energy projects which have not achieved 100 per cent energy offtake agreements through long-term contracted power purchase agreements (PPAs). The CEFC is one of the co-financiers in the development of the AU$588 million 270MW Sapphire Wind Farm between Glen Innes and Inverell in northern New South Wales.
Project developer CWP Renewables secured a 20-year feed-in-tariff from the ACT Government for 100MW of Sapphire’s output and will trade the remainder of the project’s output on a merchant basis. The 270MW Sapphire Wind Farm, located between Glen Innes and Inverell in northern NSW, will feature the latest Vestas turbine technology, as well as transformers manufactured in Australia.
In a boost to the local community, the project will contribute to a Community Fund at the rate of AU$2,500 per turbine per year over the life of the project, to support local community interest groups and activities. Community members, local council and project representatives will jointly manage the Community Fund.