The outcome of the ACT Government’s wind energy auction will boost energy research and education at The Australian National University (ANU), Pro-Vice Chancellor (Innovation and Advancement), Professor Mick Cardew-Hall said on Friday.

As part of its successful bid, auction-winning company Windlab will partner with the ANU Energy Change Institute (ECI) to develop and deliver a new Masters unit in Wind Development.

“The introduction of the Masters unit in Wind Development further reinforces the reputation of the ANU as a leader in energy education and research,” Professor Mick Cardew-Hall said.

“The unit complements our existing Master of Energy Change program and we expect this will attract many students from Australia and overseas.”

Windlab Limited’s Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm will produce around 10 per cent of the 200MW that will be provided through the ACT government’s wind energy auction.

The project aims to help the ACT meet its ambitious 90 per cent renewable energy target for 2020.

The ANU Energy Change Institute combines leading research and education on the technologies, efficiency, policy, law, sociology and economics of moving to a sustainable and dominantly renewable energy future.

The Institute comprises more than 200 staff and PhD students, and around $100 million in infrastructure and facilities.