Wind Prospect - Fens Construction Phase 1 Commences

16th May 2005

Fens Phase 1 Construction Commences

Construction of the first 3 wind farms in the Fens is due to begin shortly. These will be sited at Deeping St Nicholas, Gedney Marsh near Holbeach and Glass Moor near Whittlesey and will be built concurrently over the next 10 months.

During the first stage of construction, expected to last around 4 months, site access and internal access tracks will be built. This will be followed by the construction of foundations, with the wind turbines themselves arriving on site during October. The wind turbines will be erected, tested and commissioned over the winter months, with all three wind farms expected to be fully operational by spring next year.

The wind farms have been developed by independent UK company Wind Prospect in association with EdF Energies Nouvelles (formally 'SIIF-Energies'), a leading French renewable energy company. The contract to build the wind farms has been awarded to the Anglo-German turbine manufacturer REpower UK, with McNicholas Construction Services completing the civil and electrical works. REpower UK is a joint venture between German wind energy company REpower Systems AG and Peterborough based engineering company Peter Brotherhood Ltd.

Richard Barker, Wind Prospect's General Manager of Development said, "I'm delighted that these wind farms will soon be contributing substantially to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the east of England and East Midland regions. What is also fantastic is the involvement of local company Peter Brotherhood for both the supply and the service over the life-time of the wind turbines, thus contributing to the local economy. The Fens area will soon be able to continue its tradition of utilising the power of the wind."

Associated with the wind farms will be community trust funds, established to contribute to initiatives in the area as determined by local representatives.

Whilst the wind farms are being constructed a 24-hour helpline is available to answer any enquiries - the number is 0845 2000 214

Ends

Notes For Editors

WIND ENERGY
Wind energy is one of the main technologies that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is the cleanest and lowest cost form of renewable energy available.

There are currently more than 65,000 wind turbines operating throughout the world supplying electricity to over 35 million people. Though the UK is the windiest country in Europe, at present less than 1% of our electricity is supplied by wind energy, compared to as much as 25% of electricity supplied by the wind in parts of Germany.

WIND PROSPECT
Wind Prospect is a leading independent renewable energy developer, constructor and operator, working in UK, Ireland and Australia. Wind Prospect has been involved in over 1000MW of approved sites and currently has over 400MW at various stages of the development process.

When developing this clean and sustainable energy supply, we encourage both local ownership and investment; we also contract with local companies wherever possible. It is our aim to develop wind energy projects in partnership with local communities, whilst offering farmers an opportunity to diversify. Our goal is to find the right balance between the global benefits of wind energy and the impact of wind farms on the local environment.

EdF ENERGIES NOUVELLES
EdF Energies Nouvelles is a leading French renewable energy company with a mission of producing green electricity and developing alternative energy sources. The company is involved in all four of the main renewable energy sectors, with worldwide projects in wind, biomass, solar and hydro generation.

REpower Systems AG
REpower is one of the leading turbine producers in the wind energy sector with a market share in excess of 10%. This is due to a corporate strategy that focuses not only on the market, but on the customer as well.

In 2003 REpower UK was formed as a joint venture between REpower Systems AG and the Peterborough based engineering company Peter Brotherhood Ltd, with the aim of supply and servicing wind turbines in the UK market.

MCNICHOLAS CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
McNicholas has over 50 years of experience in providing construction services to utilities worldwide. The McNicholas Group liases closely with clients and supervisory authorities to ensure that completion targets are met on time and budget, whilst maintaining a strict health and safety standard.

FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information please contact:

Richard Barker
General Manager, Development
Wind Prospect

T: 0117 9257798
F: 0117 9452493 E: Richard.Barker@windprospect.com

USEFUL WEBSITES
www.windprospect.com
www.siif-energies.fr
www.repower-uk.co.uk
www.peterbrotherhood.co.uk
www.mcnicholas.co.uk
www.bwea.com

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	Wind Prospect Pty Ltd, 144 Main Road, McLaren Vale, South Australia 5171 t: +61 (0)8 832 39322 f: +61 (0)8 832 38111 e: admin@windprospect.com.au