Vestas lands turbine contracts for two major new wind projects in Victoria

Global Power Generation has named Danish renewables giant Vestas as the turbine supplier and installer for two major wind power projects it is developing in Victoria – Ryan Corner (218MW) near Port Fairy and Berrybank Stage 2 wind farm (110MW) in the state’s west.

Vestas – which has recently been been linked to a spate of turbine accidents and malfunctions in Australia, the US and in Sweden – said on Friday that the 328MW deal included supply and installation of 52 V136-4.2MW wind turbines for the Ryan Corner wind farm as well as the engineering, procurement and construction of 26 V136-4.2MW wind turbines for the second stage of Berrybank.

Once the projects are completed, Vestas said it would then commence a 15-year Active Output Management service agreement for both wind farms, underwritten by an energy-based availability guarantee.

Global Power Generation – a joint venture majority-owned by Spain-based Naturgy Energy Group, previously known as Union Fenosa – has been making steady progress on Ryan Corner this year, including inking a 15-year power offtake deal with federal and NSW government-owned gen-tailer Snowy Hydro.

Berrybank Stage 2, which will have a generation capacity of 110MW and a 20MWh battery energy storage system, was one of the successful projects under the ACT’s 2019-20 renewable energy auction.

In its statement on Friday, Vestas said Berrybank 2 would mark the company’s fifth Australian wind farm to be initiated through a government renewable energy auction scheme.

Vestas also worked with GPG on Berrybank Stage 1 which, as RenewEconomy reported here, used Vestas wind turbines that were built in Victoria, at the Vestas Renewable Energy Hub in Geelong, which was repurposed from an old Ford factory.

“We are proud that customers from all around the world turn to Vestas for our leading technology, market experience, broad service solutions and ultimately, the best return on investment for their wind project”, said Vestas Australia Pacific president, Clive Turton.

“Global Power Generation is a valued customer to Vestas globally and we look forward to building upon our existing partnership,” Turton said.

“As a successful previous partner of the Australian Capital Territory’s renewable energy auction, Vestas is pleased to deliver stage two of Berrybank Wind Farm and support the ACT’s vision for a sustainable future”, said Peter Cowling, head of Vestas Australia and New Zealand.

“Vestas is the largest installer and maintainer of wind generators in Australia. Our 327MW partnership with Global Power Generation reinforces our
commitment to Australia’s clean energy transition.”

Pedro Serrano, the chief business development officer at Global Power Generation said his company was pleased to continue its partnership with Vestas as OEM of choice, and long-term maintenance service provider for Ryan Corner and Berrybank wind farms stage one and two.

“The two projects are set to provide clean energy to approximately 120,000 homes. In addition, the projects will create almost 500 jobs during their construction,” he said.

Delivery of the turbines for both projects is expected to occur in the third quarter of 2021, with commissioning scheduled for the third quarter of 2022. A joint venture between Decmil and RJE Global was contracted to deliver the balance of plant for Ryan Corner last week.