Environment
Levanto Onshore Wind Farm
The growth of renewables in our portfolio is a key strategic objective for IPR and in November 2006 we acquired the 436 MW Levanto onshore wind farm portfolio. In so doing, we immediately became one of Europe’s top 20 operators in the wind energy market.
At acquisition the Levanto wind farm portfolio comprised 286 MW of operating capacity, 126 MW under construction, which is due to commence operation in 2007, and 24 MW of fully permitted capacity, which is planned to commence operation in 2008. 409 MW of the capacity is located in Germany and 27 MW in France – two of the most favourable regulatory regimes for renewable generation.
The acquisition provided IPR with an immediate, scale renewables business in Europe, together with a significant pipeline of development opportunities.
Hazelwood – Native Grasses
Hazelwood power station in Australia has an ongoing programme designed to propagate and manage rare and endangered native grasses. The company is working alongside the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the Latrobe Valley Field Naturalists to preserve and enhance the existing grasslands, retain the genetic stock, and to use this as a seed resource in a pioneering project for broadacre revegetation and rehabilitation of mine overburden reserves. Despite a continuing dry spell in the past decade, some 105,000 native grass cells have been planted and are set to propagate naturally. The total number of cells planted in the revegetation program is 2.3 million.
Lyrebird Forest Walk
With a lot of enthusiastic support from local residents and help from Hazelwood power station and the local government, Mirboo North’s renowned lyrical bushland, the Lyrebird Forest Walk, reopened in 2005. A popular spot for many years, the track was shut down in 2003 when Parks Victoria became concerned about safety and liability issues. The walking tracks were in bad condition, rubbish had accumulated and the access road was in a very poor state. They commissioned a study which concluded that $61,000 would be required to bring it up to standard. Based on visitor numbers, Parks Victoria concluded that it was not a viable asset.
However, local community outrage and vigorous lobbying brought about a public meeting and the formation of the Friends of the Lyrebird Forest Walk which set about fundraising and sourcing suitable materials. Neil Cartwright, a Hazelwood power station employee, is president of the Friends Group. Hazelwood supplied the lion’s share of materials to enable Stage 1 to be reopened – a 1.2 km riverside walk, the first 700m of which provides universal access. This was achieved by the provision of more than 200 tonnes of fill from the mine which was used to soften gradients, enabling wheelchair access.
EnergyAustralia partnership
International Power has recently signed an agreement with EnergyAustralia (a retailer of electricity and gas supplying energy to some 1.5 million Australian homes and businesses) to establish a 50:50 partnership to sell electricity and gas to retail customers in South Australia and Victoria. The agreement provides International Power with the opportunity to deal with the consumer directly. EnergyAustralia allows the consumer the option of buying into their “Green Future” scheme, under which the customer pays a premium for electricity generated from landfill gas, bagasse or a combination of these renewable sources (to substitute coal-generated electricity).
The Seiont River Catchment Group
Representatives from First Hydro sit on the Seiont River Catchment Group with other interested parties, including the Environment Agency, Welsh Water, the Angling Society etc. The group discusses impacts on the river catchment and set out an annual plan, which will include further research into specific issues, including an innovative fisheries study.
Electric Mountain and the Hydro Centre
Electric Mountain and the Hydro Centre are First Hydro’s two visitor centres. The centres attract an average of 250,000 visitors per year (including school trips and pensioners). A further 70,000 visitors tour the Dinorwig power station. The centre allows visitors of all ages to discover the power of hydro-electricity in an exciting, interactive and educational environment. Electric Mountain contains interactive displays, models and exhibitions. The history and development of electricity and its profound effect on human culture is colourfully explained.
Download the
Electric Mountain case study
(PDF, 67 KB - opens in a new window)
Energy Garden
Since its opening in July 2005, the Deeside Energy Garden has become a valuable educational resource, linked to the National Curriculum, for children in local Flintshire schools. Almost 750 children from 16 schools have visited the garden since it was officially launched in 2005. In addition over 150 students from universities and colleges have made use of the garden since its opening. From the outset students from St. David’s High School, Ysgol-y-Bryn and Mold RFC under-16s were involved in the design and planting schemes for the garden. The different areas of the garden include hydro power; a manual power area which lets young visitors ‘feel’ the energy required to complete a task; wind power that stimulates discussion on renewable forms of energy; and solar power.
Download the
Energy Garden case study
(PDF, 67 KB - opens in a new window)
Water Vole Recovery Project
The Water Vole Recovery Project, an initiative to safeguard the last remaining water vole population in the region, was launched by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust in 2001. The area targeted was the River Hull and its surrounding waterways. Saltend power station is built on one of the River Hull estuaries, and has been part of this environmental project since it was established. Saltend has actively supported this initiative through donations and enthusiastic staff involvement in the habitat restoration and enhancement scheme.
Download the
Water Vole Recovery Project case study
(PDF, 58 KB - opens in a new window)
Milford Recycling
At International Power's Milford CCGT, effluent water from a local waste water treatment plant is used to provide cooling for the condensers. This intelligent re-use of low-grade water saves approximately 650,000 gallons per day. The waste water is returned to the water treatment plant where it is further treated before being discharged to the Charles River. In times of very low river flow, when the water level drops below 18.2cm, the waste water treatment plant discharges directly to the Charles River. When this occurs the Milford plant uses tankers to supply raw water for use in cooling the condensers.
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