Suzlon Energy Australia Pty Ltd. (Melbourne, Australia) has awarded Nexans (Paris, France), via Olex, a 2-million-euro order to supply approximately 135 km (84 miles) of low-voltage flexible rubber cables for the Hallett Wind Farm in South Australia. The key feature of the cables in this application is their proven flexibility to accommodate the yawing movement of the turbine as they adjust to suit changing wind directions.

The Hallett wind farm, 200 km (124 miles) north of Adelaide, South Australia, is being constructed on behalf of the Australian Gas Light Co. and will consist of 45 turbines with a total capacity of 94.5 MW. Once completed, it will become Australia's largest wind farm, with the capacity to supply “green” electricity for around 54,000 households.

Suzlon Energy Australia was awarded the total turnkey contract for the manufacture, engineering, procurement and construction of the turbines for the wind farm including the civil, electrical and mechanical services. In turn, Olex Australia was awarded the contract for the total supply of the low- and medium-voltage cables. Nexans will supply the low-voltage flexible rubber cables.

The project's first cabling section consists of various flexible H07BN4-F and H07RN-F multi or single-core cables from 2.5 mm² up to 240 mm², which will be installed in the 80-m (262-ft) high towers, to transfer power between the turbine generators and the underground collector system.

The cables will be manufactured in Nexans' Bohain factory in northern France. The project uses the plant's test facility to demonstrate the flexibility and reliability of the low-voltage cabling solution under simulated wind turbine conditions. The rigorous tests confirm the cables' ability to withstand the 20- to 25-year life cycle of the turbines.

Renewable energy through wind farms in Australia has a promising future as many state governments are beginning to legislate that alternative renewable energy sources be developed for future energy demand. Actually, the government in South Australia, which has 51% of the nation's wind power, has recently announced that 20% of electricity will come from renewables by 2014. This new decision goes further than the initial target set down in South Australia's Strategic Plan, which was originally a voluntary target of 15%.