‘Business opportunities for years to come’
RENEWABLE projects across the Toowoomba, Western Downs and South Burnett regions will provide opportunities for local businesses for years to come, according to Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise.
TSBE general manager Surat Basin Supply Chain Reagan Parle said opportunities for local businesses were mainly in construction, as most of the specialist equipment such as solar panels or wind turbine blades and generators would be sourced internationally.
“Companies in our region providing construction site services or equipment for earthworks, trades, roads and utility maintenance are set to benefit from the projects and will be in a position to compete for work,” Mr Parle said.
“These renewables developments are very new to this region, which means the major contractors for the projects will be new to most of our businesses.”
Mr Parle said TSBE’s role was to provide supply-chain specific information to members and also at public events featuring solar and wind industry speakers.
The public events will be ongoing as investment continues across the region, starting with a TSBE-hosted Renewables Roadshow in Dalby on November 9 and 10 that will explore the opportunities ahead for companies and projects.
“Businesses need to have a capability statement or some form of portfolio information that can be passed on to buyers needing suppliers,” Mr Parle said.
“Like other projects there will be ticketing and pre-qualification requirements.
“TSBE’s supply chain staff work with the major projects to bring information and highlight opportunities for members. As a member-based organisation our focus is partnering projects with companies in our extensive network.”
Mr Parle said the Western Downs was “absolutely” experiencing a renewables boom.
“We’ve now moved from a low base of investment in renewables to one that is seeing overwhelming inquiry,” he said.
“While our region continues to see approvals for projects across the TSBE footprint, the reality is they will come online at different times.
“The early inquiry TSBE has been fielding for two and a half years is resulting in the early construction works beginning at sites like Canadian Solar’s Oakey Solar Farm and APA Group Darling Downs Solar Farm near Dalby.”