GEELONGPORT is to partner with energy Danish wind turbine specialist Vestas in the first stage of the construction on the Golden Plains Wind Farm.
GeelongPort is to provide port and laydown infrastructure for 122 Vestas EnVentus wind turbines bound for the 756-megawatt project.
The Golden Plains Wind Farm will be built in Rokewood, Victoria and is to be Australia’s largest wind farm.
With the first sod of the project turned last month, GeelongPort CEO Brett Winter said the port was thrilled to play a key role supporting such a significant renewables project for Australia, expected to be Australia’s largest wind farm.
“GeelongPort has a long-standing relationship with Vestas and we look forward to partnering with them again on this nation-building project,” he said.
“Through this project, we look forward to continuing to deliver environmental and economic benefits to the south-west region of Victoria as well as supporting the Victorian Government’s transition to renewable energy.”
GeelongPort said it has facilitated the berthing and laydown of more than 2 million tonnes of critical wind farm cargo since 2018. The support has included the laydown and storage of state-of-the-art turbine components for Vestas wind farms in Yawong, Timboon West, Elaine and Yendon.
Vestas Australia and New Zealand senior vice-president and country head Danny Nielsen said the company is pleased to partner with GeelongPort to deliver components for the wind farm.
“GeelongPort’s expertise and unique solutions make them an invaluable partner. Their strategic location, critical infrastructure, and extensive experience will be instrumental in helping us accomplish our goals for this vital project,” he said.
GeelongPort expects to receive the first shipment of wind turbines in September 2023.
The first stage of the project is expected to start producing green energy in 2024 and be completed in the second half of 2025.