Two new wind farm developments supported by the Andrews Labor Government’s Victorian Renewable Energy Targets (VRET) reverse auction are delivering new industries and jobs for Geelong.

Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio was in Geelong to announce the development of the Vestas Renewable Energy Hub (VREH) – which will build wind turbines for the 180 megawatt (MW) Berrybank Wind Farm and the 336MW Dundonnell Wind Farm.

Global supplier Vestas has been nominated as the preferred supplier of wind turbines for the two projects, triggering the investment in the hub.

The VREH will directly employ up to 27 locals, train hundreds of staff in wind turbine maintenance and support local wind turbine manufacturing in Australian for the first time in over 10 years. It will also include:

• A Wind Turbine Manufacturing Facility for the assembly of 100 turbine hubs and 50 drive trains for the Dundonnell and Berrybank projects
• The Western Victorian Service Support Centre to service the successful VRET projects and existing Vestas projects in MacArthur and Challicum Hills
• Wind Turbine Technician Training through a Memorandum of Understanding with Federation University to support the Ballarat Renewable Training Centre (BRETC), training at least 20 technicians per year
• Australian Main Component Logistics and Maintenance Centre to house wind turbine major components
• The Wind Carbon Research Partnership with Carbon Nexus, a Deakin University initiative to research the next generation of carbon fibre specifically for use in wind turbine blades.

To support long term renewable energy investment in Victoria, Vestas has also signed an agreement with GeelongPort to use its shipping facilities and 40,000m2 of laydown area located at Corio Quay South.

The Berrybank farm will include 43 turbines, while the Dundonnell facility will feature 80 turbines. Both projects will use 64 per cent local content under the Labor Government’s Victorian Industry Participation Policy.

The Labor Government’s first renewable energy auction will generate more than 900 MW of new clean energy, driving down energy prices for Victorian families. Together, these projects will generate $1.1 billion of economic investment in regional Victoria and create more than 900 jobs, including 270 apprenticeships and traineeships.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“These wind farms will not only drive down energy prices across Victoria, they will create jobs here in Geelong.”

“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.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens

“This hub will bring more local jobs to Geelong in an industry that is only going to get bigger.”

“Unlike the Liberals, we’re supporting the renewable energy industry and ensuring it has the certainty to invest in Geelong.”