Category: News 2017a

21 December 2017

Goldwind has executed finance documents for project financing for construction of Australia’s largest wind farm, the Stockyard Hill Wind Farm, located in Western Victoria.

The National Australia Bank (NAB) led the nine-member domestic and international bank syndicate which includes three Australian banks, three Japanese banks, two European banks and one Chinese bank.

Alongside NAB, the bank syndicate consists of ABN AMRO, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. (MUFG), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Mizuho Bank, Societe Generale, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Westpac Banking Corporation.

‘The nearly AUD$700 million project financing for the Stockyard Hill Wind Farm is the result of significant effort from the banks, advisors and our team. This very competitive wind farm is being built as a result of the Australian Government’s successful Renewable Energy Target and the long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Origin Energy.’ said Mr John Titchen, Managing Director of Goldwind Australia.

‘The project is progressing well, Goldwind will use its new generation GW3(s) turbines and a joint venture between SNC-Lavalin and WBHO has been appointed as the preferred contractor for the construction of the project balance of plant.’

‘We are very pleased to appoint the SNC-Lavalin WBHO Joint Venture as the preferred contractor. Preliminary work will commence on site soon and we anticipate full construction will be underway in the first quarter of 2018.’ said Mr Titchen.

Stockyard Hill Wind Farm, located near Beaufort and Skipton in Western Victoria, is set to be the largest wind farm (by capacity) in the southern hemisphere.

Cattle Hill Wind Farm

21 November 2017

The Cattle Hill Wind Farm project was a major sponsor of the Highlands Bushfest, held in Bothwell, in the Central Highlands region of Tasmania over the weekend. The event highlights the unique heritage, culture and communities of the region.

Local Mayor of the Central Highlands Council, Loueen Triffitt, said the Council appreciated the sponsorship of the event.

‘We were pleased to have Goldwind’s Cattle Hill Wind Farm project as one of the major sponsors for Bushfest this year. This was the fourth annual Bushfest and it was great to see the Cattle Hill Wind Farm project information stall alongside other stalls showcasing local produce, arts and crafts, fishing, hunting, camping and other recreational and adventure activities the region has to offer.’ Said Mayor Loueen Triffitt.

Over the two-day event, many of the Bushfest attendees took the opportunity to visit the Cattle Hill Wind Farm project information stand and learn more about the project. Visitors could look at project area maps and turbine layout, photos from other wind farm projects that Goldwind has built in Australia and take away contact details for any follow up questions.

‘We had a great weekend meeting members of the local community, sharing information about the project and answering questions. It was a pleasure to be part of such a significant event that celebrates everything the region has to offer.’ Said Sunny Rutherford, Goldwind Community Engagement Manager for the Cattle Hill Wind Farm Project.

Cattle Hill Wind Farm is located within the Central Highlands region, on the eastern shore of Lake Echo and adjacent to the Waddamana Village. It will deliver significant benefits for Tasmanian businesses and the community. The construction of the wind farm, consisting of up to 49 turbines, is scheduled to commence in early 2018 and is expected to create 150 jobs during construction and employ up to 10 permanent maintenance staff when fully operational in 2019.

15 November 2017

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd, (Goldwind), has announced the release of its GW4S smart wind turbine. The product maintains Goldwind’s Permanent Magnet Direct Drive (PMDD) turbine technology and is a direct evolution of the existing 3S platform – a turbine series that has industry-leading availability and performance.

Goldwind’s 4S Permanent Magnet Direct-Drive (PMDD) wind turbine capitalizes on the scalability and supply chain of the 3S platform to bring turbines with a rated power range between 4.0 and 4.2MW. The latest Goldwind turbine for international markets is designed for wind class IIA and features rotor diameters up to 136 meters.

“A prototype of the GW4S will be installed during the second quarter of 2018 in China. The turbine will be ready for international commercial deployment in the first quarter of 2019 and target markets include North America, Australia, South America and Turkey,”said Tony Pan, CEO of Goldwind International.

See media release here.

Cattle Hill Wind Farm

14 November 2017

TasNetworks and Goldwind have today signed the Connection Agreement for the Cattle Hill wind farm project in Tasmania’s central highlands.

The Connection Agreement sets out the terms and conditions through which the wind farm is able to successfully connect to TasNetworks’ transmission network and is another key step in paving the way for the construction of the 144MW wind farm.

The agreement represents a significant commitment from TasNetworks and Goldwind. In addition to delivering local benefits to business and the community, the construction of the large-scale wind farm will also contribute to Tasmania’s energy security and increases the State’s on-island renewable energy generation capacity by more than 5 per cent.

“This is a key milestone for the project and highlights the strong working relationship that exists between TasNetworks and Goldwind” said TasNetworks Chief Executive Officer, Lance Balcombe.

“We’re very excited to be involved which such a great project and look forward to working with Goldwind during the construction phase over the coming months” Mr Balcombe said.

“Goldwind is pleased to be partnering with TasNetworks to successfully achieve the Connection Agreement for Cattle Hill. We have found the TasNetworks team to be very professional and capable.” said Goldwind’s Managing Director, John Titchen.

“The project is located adjacent to TasNetworks’ large Waddamana Substation, it will deliver a significant addition to the Tasmanian power supply and provide significant opportunities for Tasmanian businesses and the community. We are aiming to complete construction in 2019” Mr Titchen said.

The construction of the wind farm, consisting of up to 49 turbines, is scheduled to commence in early 2018 and is expected to create 150 jobs during construction and employ up to 10 permanent maintenance staff when fully operational in 2019.

White Rock Wind Farm

4 November 2017

White Rock Wind Farm held its first Wind Farm Open Day on Saturday 4 November 2017. Over 1400 interested community members and visitors from across the region experienced firsthand the scale of the Goldwind wind turbines generators installed at White Rock Wind Farm, 20 km west of Glen Innes. See here for a short clip of the event.

Crowds gathered from as early as 8am, at old Glen Innes Railway Station to take one of 30 chartered buses to White Rock Wind Farm. Local band, The Abbies, entertained crowds, while the local Lioness catering van provided burgers and drinks. Visitors received a goodie bag full of tourist information for events during the weekend, showcasing what the district has to offer.

Onboard the bus with a White Rock Wind Farm guide, visitors could ask questions about the project that is currently in the final commissioning stage. Once on site, groups were able to stand underneath a turbine, and were provided explanations of the how the turbines work by the wind farm Operations Manager and technicians.

Sandra Royal, Local Representative for the White Rock Wind Farm project, said the Open Day was an opportunity to thank the local community for the ongoing support of the project.

‘It has been a great pleasure to show everyone White Rock Wind Farm. The local communities across the district have been very supportive of the project throughout construction.  It is only fitting that we provided this opportunity to thank everyone for their support’ said Sandra.

‘We would also like to thank all the people and businesses directly involved in making the event possible. These include Glen Innes Rotary, Glen Innes Lionesses, SES, Ben Lomond Community Memorial Hall Committee, Glen Innes Bus Service, The Abbies, Steven Wright, Daniel Hayden, Glen Innes Waste, Ben Lomond RFS and the Glen Innes Severn Council’ said Sandra.

Construction of stage one of White Rock Wind Farm commenced in May 2016, work on site is now focused on the final commissioning of wind turbine generators. The wind farm aims to be fully operational by the end of 2017.

Cattle Hill Wind Farm

13 October 2017

Goldwind Australia has launched the Local Business Participation Program for Cattle Hill Wind Farm. The Program will be a key initiative to identify capability and capacity in the local community and maximise opportunities for local subcontractors and suppliers to participate in the project.

Developer for the project, Goldwind Australia Managing Director John Titchen, said the partnership with Aurora Energy secured the construction of the Cattle Hill Wind Farm project.

‘We’re pleased to partner with Aurora Energy who is clearly supportive of renewable energy development in Tasmania and strengthening Tasmania’s energy security.’ Said John.

Under the agreement, Aurora Energy will purchase Tasmanian generated renewable energy certificates produced by the wind farm to assist in meeting its obligations, extending to 2030, under national renewable energy legislation.

Project Development Manager, Laura Jeffery said planning for the construction of up to 49 wind turbines is well underway with the launch of Local Business Participation Program.

‘We are committed to local sourcing for the project where feasible. We’ll be working closely with the main contractors and major subcontractors, once appointed, to facilitate opportunities for local subcontractors and suppliers to participate in the project.’ Said Laura.

Cattle Hill Wind Farm is now listed as a project on the Industry Capability Network (ICN) Gateway. This is an independent business network providing an online tool to connect subcontractors and suppliers with projects. Businesses with an ABN can submit Expressions of Interest for over 30 different work packages ranging from fencing to civil construction of on-site roads and local accommodation providers.

Following the appointment of the main contractor, an information forum will be held to provide local businesses with additional information about the available work packages and the process of bidding for subcontracting or supply opportunities.

Construction of the project is planned to commence in January 2018, with the wind farm anticipated to create 150 people during construction and have up to 10 permanent maintenance staff when fully operational in 2019.

Cattle Hill Wind Farm

13 October 2017

Aurora Energy and Goldwind have announced that the in-principle agreement signed in June this year has become unconditional, paving the way for the construction of a 150MW wind farm at Cattle Hill in Tasmania’s Central Highlands.

See full media release here.

White Rock Solar Farm

14 September 2017

Yesterday, local emergency service professionalsfrom the local region, including representatives from Northern Tablelands Rural Fire Service, NSW Ambulance, Glen Innes SES and Volunteer Rescue Association, participated in a tour of White Rock Solar Farm with emergency preparedness as a key focus.

Sarah White, Unit Controller Glen Innes State Emergency Service praised the collaboration with the local emergency service bodies.

“This has been a great opportunity for members of the local emergency services to join together and experience first-hand the scale of the White Rock Solar Farm” said Sarah.

Emergency Management Committees are responsible for planning for emergencies within the local community and use a comprehensive approach to risk management. The purpose of bringing these groups together was to allow for planning for prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery in the event of an emergency at White Rock Solar Farm.

Dan Ford, Owner’s Representative for White Rock Solar Farm said considerable time and resources has been spent on the development and implementation of emergency response plans for White Rock Solar Farm and an opportunity to collaborate with local emergency services was welcomed.

“Our aim for the day was to provide insight to the safety considerations when planning, designing and developing solar energy facilities. As more renewable energy projects are developed throughout the region, close collaboration with relevant local services is essential.”

“I would like to thank the local emergency services for taking the time to see how we implement safety on site and what emergency procedures we have in place. We look forward to continue to build positive working relationships into the future” said Dan.

Construction of White Rock Solar Farm, commenced in July 2017. The project is expected to be fully commissioned by early 2018. It is located on the New England Tablelands approximately 20km west of Glen Innes and 40km east of Inverell. The 20 MW White Rock Solar Farm will produce sufficient clean renewable energy to power approximately 7,000 homes annually.

Coppabella Wind Farm

7 September 2017

Coppabella Wind Farm has sponsored $13,000 for the purchasing of new iPads and notebook computers for Jugiong Public School. The sponsorship is part of the community benefit sharing strategy for the wind farm.

Jugiong Public School currently has 29 students, so often the budget does not meet the cost of maintaining up to date technology at a level that is required for students to fully connect with learning opportunities through technology.

Jugiong Public School Principal, Judy McFadyen, said in recent years, the school has moved towards implementing creative and innovative learning spaces for the students.

‘In 2016, the P&C refurbished the classrooms to reflect the needs of our future focused students. The next phase involves immersing students in technology to build their capacity to engage with a diverse range of multimedia programs to connect locally, nationally and globally.’

‘Previously, staff were using their own devices and data to support students learning. For students to become confident, proficient users of technology, students needed up to date devices. We’re very grateful to have the financial support of Coppabella Wind Farm to ensure our students can have opportunities to use technology within the classroom.’ Said Judy.

Tom Nielsen, Development Manager for the project, said Coppabella Wind Farm welcomed the opportunity to support one of the local schools in the area.

‘The purpose of the sponsorship fund for the wind farm is to provide financial support to local community initiatives and events in the area. We’re really pleased to be able to work with the Jugiong School P&C and staff to make a difference for the learning opportunities for students.’ Said Tom.

Coppabella Wind Farm is in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, approximately 30km west of Yass. Planning for construction of the Coppabella Wind Farm project has commenced. Goldwind Australia aims to commence work on site in early 2018, with the latest model of Goldwind’s advanced technology wind turbines aimed to be installed. Goldwind Australia’s involvement in the project will continue after construction by operating and maintaining the wind farm.

White Rock Wind Farm

25 August 2017

Today, the local community of Ben Lomond gathered at the Ben Lomond War Memorial Hall to watch the arrival of the final wind turbine components for White Rock Wind Farm.

The tower component was the last of seven hundred loads that have been transported to White Rock Wind Farm. Transportation of the wind turbine components commenced in December last year and was marked with a community event in Glen Innes attended by Adam Marshall MP, Member for Northern Tablelands and several hundred community members and local school students.

Adam Marshall MP, Member for Northern Tablelands said the arrival of the last shipment marked a momentous day for energy generation in the region.

‘The community and I have been watching with fascination as each massive shipment snaked its way along the New England Highway – with the arrival of the last load, we can see this great project finalised. The White Rock Wind Farm will be a major contributor to the Northern Tablelands’ goal to become a net exporter of energy; a milestone that solidifies our region as both a hub of innovation and a hotspot for renewable technology,” Mr Marshall said.

John Gardner, Vice President of Program of Goldwind said today’s event was organised to thank the local community for their support of the project and show first-hand the size and scale of the turbines being installed at the wind farm.

‘We really appreciate the patience and understanding of the communities along the delivery route, in particular the community of Ben Lomond who experienced the inconvenience of slow moving wide loads which no doubt had an impact on the daily routines of many in the community over the last three months. I’d also like to acknowledge our contractors Blue Water Shipping and Rex Andrews Transport for their efforts in safely delivering all the turbine components.’

Construction of White Rock Wind Farm commenced in May 2016. More than three quarters of the wind turbines have now been installed. Construction work is now focused on installation of the remaining wind turbines and associated commissioning work, as well as rehabilitation of the site area.

‘The arrival of the final load is a key project milestone. In early July, the first turbines were connected to TransGrid’s network and started producing electricity. This means that the wind farm is already  producing renewable energy. More turbines are being commissioned each week and we are progressing well towards the project becoming fully operational by the end of the year. ’ said John.

Once fully operational, the 175 MW White Rock Wind Farm will produce sufficient clean renewable energy to power approximately 75,000 homes, more than all the houses in the New England area.