Vestas begins assembly of wind turbines in Geelong

Wind power giant Vestas has begun assembling drive trains and hubs for its wind turbines at a new factory in the former Ford stamping plant at Geelong, Victoria.

This follows the opening of the Vestas Renewable Energy Hub (VREH) by state premier Daniel Andrews and energy minister, Lily D’Ambrosio.

This is reportedly the first-time wind turbines have been assembled in Australia for more than 10 years.

More than 20 workers are now on site assembling 100 turbine hubs and 50 drive trains for the 180 megawatt Berrybank Wind Farm and the 336 megawatt Dundonnell Wind Farm, both in Victoria.

The VREH is also investing $3.5 million on a Service, Logistics and Training Centre in Grovedale that will service the growing turbine fleet across Western Victoria and house major wind turbine components.

Hundreds of local staff will also be trained in wind turbine maintenance through a partnership with Federation University, and the company also has a research partnership with Deakin University.

Vestas partnered with Geelong-based Marand Precision Engineering to establish the VREH and provide a local workforce.

Andrews said: “The production line at the old Ford factory is humming again, creating local jobs and building our energy future.”

Picture: Vestas/Macarthur wind farm

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