Search This Blog

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Accenture to Acquire EnergyQuote JHA, Expanding its Energy Management As-a-Service Capabilities

From Accenture:


Accenture to Acquire EnergyQuote JHA, Expanding its Energy Management As-a-Service Capabilities

LONDON; July 21, 2015 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has entered into an agreement to acquire EnergyQuote JHA, a Pan-European energy management and procurement services provider. The acquisition will bolster Accenture’s energy procurement capabilities in Europe and further enhance its ability to deliver energy management as-a-service to clients. Terms of the deal were not disclosed and the acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. 
 
Headquartered in London, EnergyQuote JHA provides services including energy procurement, risk management and strategy development, forecasting, energy contract management, portfolio management, carbon emissions reduction and utility bill management to clients in more than 22 European countries.
 
EnergyQuote JHA will expand Accenture’s energy management as-a-service capabilities
 
“Clients are increasingly seeking a single provider of energy procurement and management services that can address the full spectrum of needs – from reducing demand and risk to improving pricing and payment accuracy – across all geographies,” said Mike Salvino, group chief executive, Accenture Operations. “This acquisition will extend Accenture’s industry leading position in the procurement market and enhance our ability to provide comprehensive energy management services, putting us in an even better position to provide innovative business process services that deliver business outcomes to our clients.”
 
“Since its founding in 1992, EnergyQuote JHA has developed specialized technology and expertise in key areas that complement Accenture’s existing energy procurement and management offerings,” said Jonathan Lydiard-Wilson, CEO, EnergyQuote JHA. “This agreement with Accenture will benefit the clients of both companies, combining our proprietary technology and extensive energy market intelligence with Accenture’s own industry leading procurement capabilities and global reach.” 
 
EnergyQuote JHA’s 279 employees from offices across Europe including the UK and Romania, as well as India, are expected to join Accenture at the completion of the transaction. 
 
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 336,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$30.0 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2014. Its home page is www.accenture.com.
 
Forward Looking Statements

Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “positioned,” “outlook” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These include, without limitation, risks that: the company and EnergyQuote JHA will not be able to close the transaction in the time period anticipated, or at all, which is dependent on the parties’ ability to satisfy certain closing conditions; the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for the company; the company’s results of operations could be adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company’s clients’ businesses and levels of business activity; the company’s business depends on generating and maintaining ongoing, profitable client demand for the company’s services and solutions, and a significant reduction in such demand could materially affect the company’s results of operations; if the company is unable to keep its supply of skills and resources in balance with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company’s business, the utilization rate of the company’s professionals and the company’s results of operations may be materially adversely affected; the markets in which the company competes are highly competitive, and the company might not be able to compete effectively; the company could have liability or the company’s reputation could be damaged if the company fails to protect client and/or company data or information systems as obligated by law or contract or if the company’s information systems are breached; the company’s results of operations and ability to grow could be materially negatively affected if the company cannot adapt and expand its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings by new entrants; the company’s results of operations could materially suffer if the company is not able to obtain sufficient pricing to enable it to meet its profitability expectations; if the company does not accurately anticipate the cost, risk and complexity of performing its work or if the third parties upon whom it relies do not meet their commitments, then the company’s contracts could have delivery inefficiencies and be less profitable than expected or unprofitable; the company’s results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the company’s profitability could suffer if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful, and the company may not be able to improve its profitability through improvements to cost-management to the degree it has done in the past; the company’s business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; the company’s work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; the company might not be successful at identifying, acquiring or integrating businesses or entering into joint ventures; the company’s Global Delivery Network is increasingly concentrated in India and the Philippines, which may expose it to operational risks; changes in the company’s level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in the company’s treatment as an Irish company, could have a material adverse effect on the company’s results of operations and financial condition; as a result of the company’s geographically diverse operations and its growth strategy to continue geographic expansion, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; adverse changes to the company’s relationships with key alliance partners or in the business of its key alliance partners could adversely affect the company’s results of operations; the company’s services or solutions could infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company might lose its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others; if the company is unable to protect its intellectual property rights from unauthorized use or infringement by third parties, its business could be adversely affected; the company’s ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; many of the company’s contracts include payments that link some of its fees to the attainment of performance or business targets and/or require the company to meet specific service levels, which could increase the variability of the company’s revenues and impact its margins; if the company is unable to collect its receivables or unbilled services, the company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely affected; if the company is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; the company’s share price and results of operations could fluctuate and be difficult to predict; the company’s results of operations and share price could be adversely affected if it is unable to maintain effective internal controls; any changes to the estimates and assumptions that the company makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; the company may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the “Risk Factors” heading in Accenture plc’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture’s expectations.
 
# # #

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Duke Energy Renewables acquires Seville Solar Projects in Southern California totaling 50 MW - Duke Energy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -
Duke Energy Renewables today announced it has acquired the 20-megawatt (MW-AC) Seville I and 30-MW Seville II Solar Power Projects in California from Kruger Energy.
The projects are located in Imperial County about 10 miles west of the Salton Sea. With this addition, Duke Energy Renewables has six solar power projects in California totaling more than 100 megawatts, enough to power about 23,000 average homes.


Duke Energy Renewables acquires Seville Solar Projects in Southern California totaling 50 MW - Duke Energy

Monday, July 20, 2015

Fourth major Duke Energy solar facility begins construction in N.C. - Duke Energy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -
Construction has started at Duke Energy's solar facility at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Onslow County, N.C.
The 13-megawatt (AC) project is Duke Energy's first solar facility at a military base. Covering 100 acres, the facility is the largest solar installation on a military base in North Carolina. It will be owned and operated by Duke Energy Progress (DEP) and is expected to be online in 2015.


Fourth major Duke Energy solar facility begins construction in N.C. - Duke Energy

Friday, July 17, 2015

Does This Man Hold the Keys to Nigeria's Future?

Personal vehicles can really drain environmental resources. Some large companies have worked to come up with alternatives.
Many of those electric vehicles, however, are expensive or otherwise unattainable for everyday consumers.


Does This Man Hold the Keys to Nigeria's Future?

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Duke Energy Indiana brings new energy efficiency program to Bloomington - Duke Energy

PLAINFIELD, IND. -
More than 1,700 households in Bloomington are getting an energy makeover, courtesy of Duke Energy Indiana.
Through the company’s Neighborhood Energy Saver program, the homes and apartments of qualified Duke Energy customers who live on the south side of Bloomington will receive a home energy assessment and installation of up to 16 energy-saving improvements, at no out-of-pocket cost.


Duke Energy Indiana brings new energy efficiency program to Bloomington - Duke Energy

Monday, July 13, 2015

Wind Energy is Coming to the Southeast

From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:




For the first time ever, #wind energy is coming to the Southeast. Two months ago, the #Energy Department released a report explaining how next-generation #wind turbines with taller towers and longer blades could allow us to harness the stronger and more consistent winds found high above the ground, unlocking wind energy’s potential in regions including the southeastern United States. This Washington Post story today details the upcoming construction of the first large-scale wind farm in #NorthCarolina, made possible by taller turbine technology: http://bit.ly/TallTowNC.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Green Fuel from Algae

From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:




You’re looking at the literal definition of green fuel that could play a big part in increasing America’s #energy independence. A recent Department of Energy funded report said that 5% of the United States’ imported oil for transportation could be replaced with American-grown #biofuels from #algae (pictured). Our office continues to support research to make algae fuel more affordable. This week, we announced new research funding geared towards reducing the modeled price of algae-based biofuels to less than $5 per gallon, so eventually this fuel source can compete with traditional petroleum-based motor fuel. Learn more:http://go.usa.gov/3fThC.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Proposed solar energy amendment has cities feuding | Miami Herald Miami Herald



The battle over the future of solar power is dividing Florida’s city officials.
From Coral Gables to St. Petersburg, local officials are at odds over a decision by the organization that represents more than 400 municipal governments — the Florida League of Cities — to file a legal brief urging the Florida Supreme Court to reject putting the proposed Solar Choice amendment on the November 2016 ballot.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article26819602.html#storylink=cpy


Proposed solar energy amendment has cities feuding | Miami Herald Miami Herald

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

White House seeks more solar power in poor areas | TheHill

The Obama administration wants to increase the use of solar power in low-income and subsidized housing.
It argues that doing so will lower electricity bills while improving job prospects for people with lower incomes.


White House seeks more solar power in poor areas | TheHill

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Biomass Feedstock National User Facility

From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:




Our office supports efforts to advance technologies that make #America more energy independent, while reducing #energy costs for all. One example is the new Biomass Feedstock National User Facility at the Energy Department’s Idaho National Laboratory. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Dr. David Danielson, visited the new 27,000 square-foot facility this week dedicated to helping turn non-food feedstock such as wood chips and pellets into affordable #biofuels to power vehicles or planes. Learn more about this new facility: https://www.inl.gov/bfnuf/.

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Increasing Energy Independence

From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:




Happy Independence Day from EERE! Utility-scale wind farms like this one pictured in #Colorado are increasing America’s #energy independence and setting an example for the rest of the world. The #US is now the world’s top producer of wind energy with enough generating capacity to power more than 18 million homes. Since 1980, the Energy Department has helped reduce the cost of wind energy by more than 94% in some areas of the country. Learn about the research we are funding to keep costs falling, so more Americans can be independent when it comes to choosing their preferred energy choice such as wind energy: http://go.usa.gov/3w99Q.

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Want a Solar Energy Loan? One Startup Can Help

Solar energy, while certainly a growing field, is still not accessible and affordable for the average household. But some companies in the Boston area are trying to change that.
Sungage Financial is one of the those companies. The solar energy loan firm offers financial loans to Boston residents who are interested in taking advantage of solar energy but can’t take on the roughly $30,000 investment without help. Founder Sara Ross told Boston Business Journal:


Want a Solar Energy Loan? One Startup Can Help

Hydropower in the Days of Yore

From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:




For #TBT, we take you back to the 1860s when this mill in #Kentucky first started using water power to grind its grain. Flash forward to today: thanks to funding support from the Energy Department, the Weisenberger Flour Mill now uses an advanced small #hydropower unit to run the mill, and may also sell excess #electricity to the local utility in the future, so more Kentuckians can use clean #energy. Learn more:http://go.usa.gov/3wb6G.

Testing heats up at Sandia’s Solar Tower with high temperature falling particle receiver

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are working to lower the cost of solar energy systems and improve efficiencies in a big way, thanks to a system of small particles.




Testing heats up at Sandia’s Solar Tower with high temperature falling particle receiver

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Parker Hannifin Selected by Alevo to Support North America's Largest Energy Storage Deployment

Parker's energy transfer systems will connect energy from Alevo's battery modules as part of large-scale 200 Megawatt energy transfer operation



Parker - Investors - RSS Content

NRG Home Solar Partners with Solar Decathlon Team from Stevens Institute of Technology

From NRG:


NRG Home Solar Partners with Solar Decathlon Team from Stevens Institute of Technology
“Sure House” design to reduce energy use and protect against natural disasters
Princeton, New Jersey – June 30, 2015 –NRG Home Solar, a division of NRG Energy, Inc. and one of the country’s leading residential solar companies, has joined forces with Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey to support the production of its U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon entry, the Sure House.
The Sure House will be a home designed to use 90% less energy than similar homes available on the market. It is powered by solar energy, and in the aftermath of a storm becomes a hub for emergency power to the neighborhood with uniquely designed branch power circuits that transfer to standby circuits in the event of a grid outage. The Sure House will also incorporate design details allowing it to withstand temporary flooding up to 6 feet, plus storm shutters that provide protection during extreme storms.
“The inspiring and progressive work these students are doing on the Sure House made it an easy decision to get involved in this competition,” said Kelcy Pegler Jr., President of NRG Home Solar. “Many employees at NRG Home Solar live and work in areas hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, so it’s fantastic to see the Stevens students tackle an incredible project that could better prepare us for the everchanging climate.”
The competition entry was inspired by the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, which directly impacted many students involved in the project. The Stevens team is designing the Sure House to optimize energy efficiency through use of solar and smart energy technologies. The home is also configured specifically to protect against flooding and natural disasters.
The Sure House is being developed by a team of 40 students - led by faculty - that includes undergraduates and graduates from a range of disciplines. NRG Home Solar is providing the photovoltaic solar panels to be used in the home’s solar array.
“The Sure House is a groundbreaking new direction in storm resilient coastal housing and we are thrilled to have NRG Home Solar’s support and dedication to help bring it to fruition,” said Michael Bruno, Feiler Chair Professor and Dean, School of Engineering and Science. “The dedicated students on this team are working incredibly hard to produce a winning design for the Solar Decathlon competition, a design that can also translate into a working home that will save lives.”
The Solar Decathlon will take place in October 8-18, 2015 in Irvine, California.
About NRG Home Solar
NRG Residential Solar Solutions LLC d/b/a Home Solar is one of the country’s leading solar companies specializing in the installation of residential solar. NRG Home Solar designs, installs and maintains solar systems that help smart homeowners bring their homes into the future with cleaner energy. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. and has offices throughout the US. NRG Home Solar empowers its customers to control their own energy destiny through clean selfgeneration. For more information please visit www.nrghomesolar.com or follow us on Twitter @NRGHomeSolar.
About Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology, The Innovation University®, is a premier, private research university situated in Hoboken, N.J. overlooking the Manhattan skyline. Founded in 1870, technological innovation has been the hallmark and legacy of Stevens’ education and research programs for more than 140 years. Within the university’s three schools and one college, more than 6,300 undergraduate and graduate students collaborate with more than 350 faculty members in an interdisciplinary, student-centric, entrepreneurial environment to advance the frontiers of science and leverage technology to confront global challenges. Stevens is home to three national research centers of excellence, as well as joint research programs focused on critical industries such as healthcare, energy, finance, defense, maritime security, STEM education and coastal sustainability. The university is consistently ranked among the nation’s elite for return on investment for students, career services programs and mid-career salaries of alumni. Stevens is in the midst of a 10-year strategic plan, The Future. Ours to Create., designed to further extend the Stevens legacy to create a forward-looking and far-reaching institution with global impact.

Duke Energy offers energy-saving suggestions to avoid getting hot under the collar this summer - Duke Energy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -
Hot weather can lead to higher energy bills as customers try and stay cool this summer. Duke Energy would like to offer some suggestions for managing these costs.
To help customers prepare, Duke Energy offers assistance programs, including:


Duke Energy offers energy-saving suggestions to avoid getting hot under the collar this summer - Duke Energy

GE Software Helps to Modernize Belgium’s Electricity and Gas Grids

From GE:


GE Software Helps to Modernize Belgium’s Electricity and Gas Grids

  Share0 
 
  • GE Provides Eandis, Belgium’s Largest Distribution Operator, with PowerOn(TM) Advanced Distribution Management System
  • GE Solution Helps Eandis Reduce Costs and Improve Quality of Supply
  • Agreement Includes Seven Years of System Maintenance and Service

GHENT, BELGIUM—June 29, 2015—GE’s Digital Energy business (NYSE: GE) has announced that Eandis, the largest distribution operator in Belgium, has implemented and gone live with its PowerOn(TM) Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS). The software platform enables Eandis, which covers 80 percent of all grid connections in the Flemish region of Belgium, to improve the efficiency and operation of its gas and electric grids as well as its renewable energy integration capabilities.

In addition to providing its ADMS software, GE also will provide seven years of maintenance and service to Eandis’s new system. This project with Eandis marks the first implementation of GE’s ADMS solutions in Belgium.

With its existing SCADA platform at the end of its life and to improve reliability and reduce costs, Eandis decided to implement a modern ADMS platform. It turned to GE’s PowerOn ADMS, which integrates traditional utility distribution functions such as network management, outage management and regulatory reporting with emerging low-carbon technologies like embedded generation and energy storage—all in a single platform. The system is an evolution of GE’s proven technology platform for SCADA and advanced distribution management.

"When looking to upgrade our existing SCADA system, it was important for us to work with a company that understood what capabilities we were looking for,” said Wim Den Roover, director of network operation, Eandis. “With GE, it was clear that its smart grid ideology and our roadmap were aligned, and together, we developed a shared vision for the future smart grid.”

With the implementation of the new distribution management solution, flexibility was a key concern. Utility networks continue to evolve every day, often requiring updates to be made quickly and efficiently to ensure optimal operation. GE’s PowerOn ADMS accommodates overnight upgrades to improve the system while maintaining continuity in the utility control center. This flexible approach to adding new features simplifies the upgrade process, making it less time consuming and more cost-effective. In addition, this update method enables Eandis to continuously access new, advanced functionality tools moving forward and throughout its modernization strategy. Data quality and migration were other concerns for Eandis when deciding how to replace its SCADA platform.

“Many solutions available today seem to be geared toward transmission companies, not those on the distribution end. GE’s PowerOn ADMS, however, was clearly designed by people who have worked in distribution utilities. Its solution, and expertise in the industry, made our data migration process simple,” Den Roover continued.

PowerOn uses smart grid intelligence to help utilities integrate and optimize power generated from renewable sources such as wind turbines, solar arrays and biogas operations. With the implementation of GE’s grid modernization solution, Eandis is now better equipped to help meet the European Union’s goal of 20 percent carbon reduction by 2020, part of the 20/20/20 initiative.

“With our ADMS, Eandis will be able to provide a constantly evolving, evergreen distribution network that is capable of meeting changing requirements of the smart grid and the low-carbon economy in Belgium,” said Paul van Dijk, director for GE’s Digital Energy business in the Benelux region. “The ability to integrate renewables into the grid can lead to more reliable, efficient and cleaner energy. This, in turn, creates a more attractive environment for businesses and consumers, helping to spur economic development and improve lifestyles. Our advanced grid modernization solutions, like our ADMS, help make renewables doable for utilities around the globe.”

GE’s Digital Energy business is a global leader in transmission and distribution solutions that manage and move power from the power plant to the consumer. Its products and services increase the reliability of electrical power networks and critical equipment for utility, industrial and large commercial customers. From protecting and optimizing assets such as generators, transmission lines and motors, to delivering analytic tools to help manage the power grid, GE’s Digital Energy business delivers industry-leading technologies to solve the unique challenges of each customer. For more information, visithttp://www.gedigitalenergy.com/.

About Eandis

Eandis a Belgian Distribution System Operator (DSO) serving about 2.45 million electricity customers, including 15,000 medium voltage electricity customers, and 1.45 million natural gas customers in the Flanders area in Belgium. 

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) imagines things others don’t, builds things others can’t and delivers outcomes that make the world work better. GE brings together the physical and digital worlds in ways no other company can. In its labs and factories and on the ground with customers, GE is inventing the next industrial era to move, power, build and cure the world. www.ge.com

Follow GE’s Digital Energy business on Twitter @GEModernGridLinkedIn and on YouTube.

GLOBAL CONSORTIUM TO DELIVER AUSTRALIA’S THIRD LARGEST WIND FARM, VALUED AT $450 MILLION

From GE:


GLOBAL CONSORTIUM TO DELIVER AUSTRALIA’S THIRD LARGEST WIND FARM, VALUED AT $450 MILLION

  Share0 
 
  • First renewables project agreed following RET resolution
  • RES, GE and Downer team with Partners Group and OPTrust
  • Wind farm will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 123,000 homes
VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – June 26, 2015 — Renewable Energy Systems (“RES”), together with GE (NYSE: GE) and Downer (ASX: DOW), today announced a major contract for the supply of 75 wind turbines to the 240MW Ararat Wind Farm in south-west Victoria.  In what will be the third largest wind farm in Australia, the $450 million project will be financed by shareholders Partners GroupRESOPTrust andGE.

This deal represents the first major contract to be signed following restored bipartisan support for the Renewable Energy Target (RET), mandating 33,000-gigawatt hours of producing capacity by 2020, and signals the return of investment to Australia’s renewable energy sector.

The project also benefits from a power purchase agreement with the Australian Capital Territory Government (ACT), guaranteeing the purchase of approximately 40 per cent of the energy produced at the site which was awarded under the ACT’s Wind Auction announcement in February 2015.

The Ararat wind farm will have a life span of 25 years and will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of around 123,000 homes per annum, or approximately 6 per cent of Victoria’s households. RES will manage the development, construction and commissioning of the project, and once complete, GE will provide ongoing operations and maintenance under a ten-year service agreement.

Geoff Culbert, President & CEO, GE Australia, New Zealand and PNG, said the recent agreement around the RET has been the driving force, creating certainty and enabling the equity partners to make firm decisions around long term investment opportunities in Australia.

“With certainty comes investment – that’s our experience overseas and that’s what we’ll see here in Australia now that the RET is fully resolved.  I congratulate both the Coalition and the ALP on restoring the policy certainty needed to enable investment and job creation. This decision has immediately unlocked half a billion dollars of direct foreign investment into Australia,” said Culbert.

“The wind farm will have significant local impact. It will employ around 165 workers directly in the construction phase, another 120 indirectly, and is expected to inject at least $7 million - $8 million into the local economy around Ararat over two years. The project will also establish a local community fund which will inject over $2 million in support of good causes over its lifetime.”

Matt Rebbeck, Chief Operating Officer for Australia at RES, said that the project represents a major development for the Ararat region.

After many years of work from a dedicated team, RES is proud to deliver the Ararat Wind Farm. It is a world class project and one of the largest in Australia. The project will provide significant benefits to the local community through the creation of jobs and funding initiatives to support good causes in the region.


“RES would like to thank the local community for its support throughout the project’s development. Also we would like to thank the ACT Government for its foresight in establishing innovative policies that are delivering low cost clean energy projects. The Ararat Wind Farm will also be partnering with ACT researchers and institutions on projects that will potentially have global applications and support the ACT as a positive place for renewable energy companies to invest plus a positive model for other states to follow in unlocking the potential of clean energy projects in Australia.”
Benjamin Haan, Managing Director and Head of Private Infrastructure, Asia-Pacific, Partners Group, said that the project will have a considerable impact on the future of renewable energy in Australia. 

“The Ararat Wind Farm is a well-structured project with high-quality counterparties and a strong wind resource.  The timing of our investment aligns with increased certainty around Australia's Renewable Energy Target, which will require a substantial build-out of renewables in the coming years.  The wind farm will make a great contribution not only to the local community in Ararat, in the form of employment, education and investment, but also to the future of renewable energy in Australia."

Stan Kolenc, Managing Director, OPTrust said: “OPTrust has considerable interest and experience in the renewable energy sector, in Australia and abroad.  And as a Canadian pension fund, we have dedicated staff in Australia because we believe the country, and region, provides compelling investment opportunities. We are excited to participate in this project, working alongside trusted partners, to expand renewable energy production in Australia.”

“We commend Parliament for reinforcing the regulatory stability that underpins this industry and look forward to starting construction.”

Construction of the Ararat Wind Farm is expected to span two years, with power delivered to the grid from April 2017.

About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) imagines things others don’t, builds things others can’t and delivers outcomes that make the world work better. GE brings together the physical and digital worlds in ways no other company can. In its labs and factories and on the ground with customers, GE is inventing the next industrial era to move, power, build and cure the world. www.ge.com.

About Renewable Energy Systems Ltd.
RES (Renewable Energy Systems Ltd) is one of the world’s leading independent renewable energy companies.  At the forefront of renewable energy development for over 30 years, RES has developed and/or built more than 9,000MW of renewable energy capacity worldwide.  RES core activities are onshore wind, offshore wind and solar, and technologies that will be enablers to a low carbon future – Energy Storage, Demand Side Management and Transmission. RES is headquartered in the United Kingdom and operates across the globe, including from Sydney, Australia. For more information, visitwww.res-group.com and www.res-australia.com.

About Downer
Downer EDI Limited (Downer) is a leading provider of services to customers in markets including Transportation, Mining, Energy and Industrial Engineering, Utilities, Communications and Facilities. Downer employs about 20,000 people, mostly in Australia and New Zealand but also in the Asia-Pacific region, South America and Southern Africa.

About Partners Group
Partners Group is a global private markets investment management firm with over EUR 37 billion (over USD 45 billion) in investment programs under management in private equity, private real estate, private infrastructure and private debt. The firm manages a broad range of customized portfolios for an international clientele of institutional investors. Partners Group is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland and has offices in San Francisco, Houston, New York, São Paulo, London, Guernsey, Paris, Luxembourg, Milan, Munich, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo and Sydney. The firm employs over 750 people and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (symbol: PGHN) with a major ownership by its partners and employees.

About OPTrust
With assets of $17.5 billion, the OPSEU Pension Trust (OPTrust) invests and manages one of Canada’s largest pension funds and administers the OPSEU Pension Plan, a defined benefit plan with over 86,000 members and retirees. OPTrust was established to give plan members and the Government of Ontario an equal voice in the administration of the Plan and the investment of its assets, through joint trusteeship. OPTrust is governed by a 10-member Board of Trustees, five of whom are appointed by OPSEU and five by the Government of Ontario.