Wind power is creating new manufacturing jobs in Geelong with wind turbine components set to be assembled at the former Ford Motor manufacturing site.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio visited the site today to announce that international company Vestas has partnered with local Victorian contractor Marand to build wind turbines for the Berrybank and Dundonnell wind farms.
The facility forms part of the Vestas Renewable Energy Hub (VREH) and will be responsible for the assembly of 100 turbine hubs and 50 drive trains for the 180-megawatt (MW) Berrybank Wind Farm and the 336MW Dundonnell Wind Farm. Full production of these wind turbine parts is expected to start in August.
The VREH will involve investment of approximately $3.5 million and directly employ over 20 employees. The project will train hundreds of local staff in wind turbine maintenance and see wind turbine component assembly in Australia for the first time in over 10 years.
Danish-headquartered Vestas is the world’s largest supplier of wind turbines and has been active in Victoria since 1999. It has been nominated as the preferred supplier of wind turbines for the two projects.
The development of the hub will help Dundonnell Wind Farm and Berrybank Wind Farm deliver on their local content commitment, supporting the Andrews Labor Government’s Victorian Industry Participation Policy.
The two new wind farm developments are supported by the Labor Government’s Victorian Renewable Energy Targets reverse auction.
As noted by Premier Daniel Andrews
“Victoria is the renewable energy capital of our nation and thanks to this new facility, we’re putting Geelong at the centre of it – this is great for jobs and great for Geelong.”
“Whether it’s the VRET or our Solar Homes Program, we’re driving down the energy costs for families, supporting local businesses and creating thousands of jobs.”
As noted by Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“This partnership shows how our transition to renewable energy is good for the environment and good for the economy – creating demand for local manufacturing skills and significant investment in the local supply chain.”
As noted by Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
“I’m proud to see Geelong helping to lead the way in Victoria’s renewable energy future and benefiting from the local jobs and economic growth that flow from it.”
As noted by Member for Lara John Eren
“The Ford factory was the centre of manufacturing in Geelong for so long, and it’s great to see it get a new lease on life building the energy technology of the future.”
