Companies interested in bidding for Aussie wind farm

Origin Energy Ltd, the Sydney-based energy producer and retailer, has received expressions of interest from at least five Chinese suitors for the sale of its Australian Stockyard Hill wind farm project, company sources said.

The asset has attracted State-owned companies including China General Nuclear Power Group, China Datang Corp and China Guodian Corp, the sources added.

Golden Concord Holdings Ltd and Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co have also expressed interest, they said.

First-round bids are reportedly expected at the end of next month.

A sale of Origin’s planned Stockyard Hill project is expected to add to the recent surge of interest in alternative energy in the Asia-Pacific region. Chinese companies have announced at least $5.5 billion worth of overseas acquisitions in the sector during the past 12 months, compared with $808 million in the previous year.

Chinese firms are exploring wind-power assets as the country seeks to boost national investment in non-fossil fuels to cut pollution. Beijing-based State Power Investment Corp bought Australian renewable energy developer Pacific Hydro Pty in January, giving the company a platform for expanding abroad.

China Guodian is considering a joint bid with Shanghai-based Envision Energy, the people said. Buyers may have to commit about A$1 billion ($762 million) to the project, including the purchase price and construction costs, sources said.