Geelong renewable energy hub to support region’s wind farms

A NEW renewable energy hub in Geelong will support two new major wind farm projects in western Victoria.

Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio visited Geelong last week to reveal details on the Vestas Renewable Energy Hub (VREH), which will build turbines for the 180 megawatt (MW) Berrybank Wind Farm and the 336MW Dundonnell Wind Farm.

The VREH will include a wind turbine manufacturing facility for the assembly of 100 turbine hubs and 50 drive trains for the Dundonnell and Berrybank projects, a support centre to service the existing Vestas projects in MacArthur and Challicum Hills, wind turbine technician training through a memorandum of understanding with Federation University to training at least 20 technicians per year, and the Wind Carbon Research Partnership with Carbon Nexus to research the next generation of carbon fibre specifically for use in wind turbine blades.

It will create 25 new local jobs in Geelong and is expected to inject up to $3.5 million into the local economy.

Vestas has also signed an agreement with GeelongPort to use its shipping facilities and 40,000sqm of laydown area located at Corio Quay South.

“As a premier regional port with a highly skilled workforce and world-class research facility, Geelong was the logical choice for our investment,” Vestas Wind Systems chief executive officer Anders Runevad said.

“The hub would not have been possible without the support of the state government and its efforts to secure competitively priced renewable energy while maximising the positive impact on the community.”

The Berrybank and Dundonnell projects were successfully supported by the Victorian Renewable Energy Project’s reverse auction, which Labor says will generate more than 900 MW of new clean energy.

“These wind farms will not only drive down energy prices across Victoria, they will create jobs here in Geelong,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.