10.12.07

Acciona Energy awards $50 million supply contract for wind turbine towers to regional Victorian company

Acciona Energy today announced that it has awarded a contract of approximately $50 million for the supply and erection of wind turbine towers for the Waubra Wind Farm to Victorian based company Keppel Prince Engineering.

Keppel Prince Engineering secured the contract to manufacture, transport and erect steel towers for wind turbines at the Waubra Wind Farm, which is located 35kms northwest of Ballarat and is the largest wind farm currently being built in the southern hemisphere.

Acciona Energy Managing Director, Mr Brett Thomas said, “Acciona Energy develops, builds, owns and operates wind farms and so we have a long-term focus in renewable energy and in growing the associated support industries.  When we started the Waubra Wind Farm, we made a commitment to providing opportunities for local communities, employment and industry.  With the support of state government policy promoting renewable energy, we have been able to deliver on this commitment. We will keep working to provide further benefits to regional communities, business and the broader state economy”.

Mr Steve Garner, General Manager, Keppel Prince Engineering said

“We are pleased to be working on the Waubra Wind Farm project.  Keppel Prince Engineering has had a difficult time keeping its skilled workers busy because of a slow down in the demand for wind turbine towers over the last couple of years.  This contract helps us maintain our skills and build a business for the future. The steel towers for Waubra are being made in the Fabrication and Assembly Workshops in Portland, keeping investment flowing into the region.”

The announcement was made as the first tower sections were delivered to the wind farm site from Keppel Prince’s manufacturing facility in Portland.  Civil works at the Waubra site have recently been completed, with all foundations, access tracks and hard stands now built.

Electrical works and installation of the first turbines is scheduled to commence early next year, with the arrival of cranes and wind turbine parts on site.  Wind turbines for the project are being supplied by Acciona Energy’s sister company Acciona Wind Power. The next phase of awarding the electrical works contract is expected to occur shortly.

 

 

 

Making the steel towers at Keppel Prince Engineering in Portland