Old Ford factory converted into renewable energy hub

THE winds of change have blown through the old Ford factory in Geelong, with part of it officially up and running as a wind turbine manufacturing hub.

Premier Daniel Andrews opened the Vestas Renewable Energy Hub (VREH) last week.

He said that repurposing the site in this way would benefit the community as well as the environment.

“The production line at the old Ford factory is humming again, creating local jobs and building our energy future.

“It’s the first-time wind turbines have been assembled in Australia in more than a decade and they’re being built right here in Geelong.”

There are now more than 20 workers on the site who are assembling 100 turbine hubs and 50 drive trains. These will be dispatched to the windfarms at Berrybank and Dundonnell.

Hundreds of local staff are also being trained in wind turbine maintenance in partnership with Federation University.

Minister for Training, Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney said it was great for the state to be capitalising on the growing renewable energy industry.

“The renewable energy industry is booming in Victoria and through this training program with Federation University we’re making sure our local workers have the skills they need to meet the evergrowing demand.”

VREH is also investing a further $3.5 million on different initiatives to plan for the future of the wind energy industry. This includes a 700 square-metre service, logistics and training centre in Grovedale that will help service the turbines which are currently being built.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said he was happy to see the building repurposed in such a positive way.

“This is an exciting day for Geelong as we breathe new life back into the old Ford factory and help our state transition to a cleaner energy future.”