The last rotor of Ararat Wind Farm’s 75 turbines has been installed by contractor Mammoet. The cable trenching and installation by RJE Global is also complete. All that remains are the connection of cables to the turbines required to transport electricity generated to the substation and into the grid, commissioning of the remaining turbines, and site rehabilitation.
Ararat Wind Farm General Manager Stuart Liddell is confident the project’s principal construction partner, GEDowner will continue to deliver these remaining tasks on or ahead of schedule to achieve project completion by May 4. To date, all major construction milestones have been delivered on time contributing to the project’s overall success.
Sixty-one of the 75 turbines already are commissioned and contributing to Victoria’s supply of renewable energy and showcasing the potential of the renewables industry in Australia. Once complete, the Ararat Wind Farm will be a world-class project that plays a key part in Australia’s renewable energy future. The local community has been overwhelmingly supportive of the Ararat Wind Farm and recognizes the significant benefits associated with a project of this scale. Ararat Wind Farm is establishing its community grants fund that will be open to eligible applicants in the latter half of 2017.
The 240 MW Ararat Wind Farm in south-west Victoria will be the third largest wind farm in Australia and has attracted almost half a billion dollars of direct international investment into Victoria.
The Ararat Wind Farm was the first major wind farm contract to be signed following restored bipartisan support for the Renewable Energy Target (RET) in June 2015. Construction of the wind farm is a joint venture between Downer and GE.
The project also benefits from a power purchase agreement with the Australian Capital Territory Government (ACT), guaranteeing the purchase of about 40 percent of the energy produced at the site, which was awarded under the ACT’s Wind Auction announcement in February 2015.
Source: Mammoet
For more information, go to www.mammoet.com
