Local companies part of $300m wind farm project

A TASMANIAN company has won an $8 million contract to manufacture tower components for Goldwind’s Cattle Hill Wind farm in the Central Highlands.

Goldwind has appointed Crisp Brothers and Haywards to make 20 per cent of the tower components it needs for its 48-turbine wind farm worth $300 million.

Haywards joins a number of Tasmanian project partners working on the wind farm including Hobart company Hazell Bros, which is undertaking the civil and electrical works, and Launceston company Gradco carrying out $10 million worth of road upgrades.

Haywards has also been engaged by Hazell Brothers in a $4 million deal to help produce the tower foundations.

Construction of the wind farm started in the middle of last year and it should be fully operational by the end of this year to produce enough clean energy to power 63,000 homes.

Aurora Energy chief executive officer Rebecca Kardos said the contract added to Goldwind’s continued commitment to engaging local industry. Aurora Energy reached an agreement with Goldwind in 2017 to help secure the construction of the 144MW wind farm.

“The long-term partnership will assist Aurora Energy to meet its obligations under national renewable energy legislation through the purchase of Tasmanian-generated renew- able energy certificates produced by the wind farm,” Ms Kardos said.

“This project represents a significant long-term investment in renewable energy in the state, while also providing a major boost to the local economy. A win-win for the Tasmanian community.”