Global sustainable energy solutions provider Vestas today entered a partnership with Geelong-based manufacturing company, Marand Precision Engineering (Marand), for its new wind turbine manufacturing facility in Geelong. The partnership will allow Vestas to bring its world-class wind turbine assembly and testing capabilities to Victoria, thereby supporting and expanding the Victorian renewable energy sector.
Located at the former Ford Motor manufacturing site on the Princes Highway in Geelong, the facility is part of the Vestas Renewable Energy Hub (the Hub), a multi-disciplinary industry development initiative designed to support the Victorian Renewable Energy Target and Victoria's New Energy Technologies strategy.
The facility will be responsible for making 4MW Drivetrains and Hubs and component testing for the Dundonnell Wind Farm and Berrybank Wind Farm projects, both of which were successful in the first Auction under the Victorian Renewable Energy Target. The facility will also support future wind projects in Australia.
"Vestas is committed to building new skills in the local work force in Geelong, and with our wind turbine component assembly and testing capability, we are helping build on Geelong's background as a heavy manufacturing hub and use that to establish a renewable energy hub," said Clive Turton, Vestas Asia Pacific President. "In Marand, we are partnering with an experienced manufacturing service provider with outstanding capabilities and skilled personnel. Their experience in automotive, aerospace, defence and rail industries meets all of our requirements around quality and technical expertise."
Established in 1969, Marand is one of the largest manufacturing workshops in Australia. Under the agreement, Marand will supply facility space, personnel and equipment to meet Vestas' manufacturing requirements. Vestas will provide testing equipment, assembly line layout, production training and supervision, and transportation of all components to the assembly area.
"We look forward to this strategic partnership with Vestas," said Marand CEO Rohan Stocker. "Marand has decades of experience across a variety of industries, where our manufacturing expertise and business systems truly set us apart from our competitors. We look forward to adding value to the renewable industry, and this partnership will greatly help us expand our capability in this growing field. We are particularly proud to be able to carry out this work in the former Ford Geelong facility."
Dundonnell Wind Farm owner Tilt Renewables and Berrybank Wind Farm project developer/owner Global Power Generation (GPG) (the international electricity generation subsidiary of Naturgy Energy Group) welcomed the announcement.
Chief Executive of Tilt Renewables, Deion Campbell, said that the Dundonnell Wind Farm is helping to drive the boom in new jobs in the renewable sector and accelerate the move toward a more sustainable, reliable and affordable energy future.
"As the largest customer of the new Renewable Energy Hub, Tilt Renewables is very pleased to be contributing to the creation of new jobs and training opportunities for people in the City of Geelong and south-west Victoria," said Mr Campbell.
GPG also indicated its support for the Vestas Renewable Energy Hub as part of its Local Investment Plan, committed under the long-term power purchase agreement in the VRET 2017 Reverse Auction.
In addition to the wind turbine assembly facility, the Hub also includes four other initiatives:
1. Establishing the Western Victorian Service Support Centre to service the growing Vestas turbine fleet in Western Victoria;
2. Entering into a multi-year partnership with Federation University's Ballarat Renewable Training Centre to deliver training and employment opportunities for wind turbine technicians;
3. Establishing the Vestas Australian Main Component Logistics Centre in Geelong, a specialist facility for the largest turbine spare parts;
4. Forming a partnership with Deakin University's Carbon Nexus to research the next generation carbon fibre to use in making wind turbine blades longer, stronger and more productive.
About Vestas
Vestas is the energy industry's global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We design, manufacture, install, and service wind turbines across the globe, and with 101 GW of wind turbines in 80 countries, we have installed more wind power than anyone else.
Through our industry-leading smart data capabilities and 86 GW of wind turbines under service, we use data to interpret, forecast, and exploit wind resources and deliver best-in-class wind power solutions. Together with our customers, Vestas' more than 24,600 employees are bringing the world sustainable energy solutions to power a bright future.
