Vestas to set up hub in Victoria

Danish wind turbine maker Vestas Wind Systems A/S (CPH:VWS) will set up a hub in Victoria following its selection as a preferred turbine supplier for two projects that were successful in the state's renewable energy auction.

The Vestas Renewable Energy Hub (VREH) in Geelong will build wind turbines for the 180-MW Berrybank wind farm and the 336-MW Dundonnell wind farm, the state government said in a statement today.

The hub will directly employ up to 27 locals, and, according to energy minister Lily D'Ambrosio, will be Australia's only wind turbine manufacturing facility.

VREH will include a manufacturing facility for the assembly of 100 turbine hubs and 50 drive trains for the Dundonnell and Berrybank projects, as well as a service support centre and a component logistics and maintenance centre. The hub will also train technicians under a memorandum of understanding with Federation University to support the Ballarat Renewable Training Centre (BRETC) and house a research partnership with Carbon Nexus, a Deakin University initiative to research carbon fibre for use in wind turbine blades.

Vestas also has an agreement with GeelongPort to use its shipping facilities and laydown at Corio Quay South.

The Berrybank and Dundonnell projects, which will consist of 43 and 80 turbines, respectively, will use 64% local content under the government's Victorian Industry Participation Policy.

Great to be in Geelong with @Vestas CEO Anders Runevad and Danish Ambassador Tom Norring, to announce a new Renewable Energy Hub and the only wind turbine manufacturing facility in Australia - creating 27 local jobs https://t.co/BZEL2N6f3j pic.twitter.com/Z4xOM2pmp8

— Lily D'Ambrosio MP (@LilyDAmbrosioMP) 11 октомври 2018 г.

"These wind farms will not only drive down energy prices across Victoria, they will create jobs here in Geelong," D’Ambrosio said. "All of this is at risk under Matthew Guy, who has promised to scrap our renewable energy targets and the thousands of jobs they’re creating if he becomes Premier," she added.

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