ABOUT
ACCIONA’S FIFTH WIND FARM IN AUSTRALIA, WITH 157.5 MW OF POWER AND BATTERY STORAGE.
The Mortlake South Wind Farm is Acciona’s fifth in Australia and third in Victoria. The wind farm prevents the emission of approximately 532,000 tonnes of CO2 from coal-fired power stations per year.
It is equipped with a battery storage facility of between 4 and 5 MW of power, to increase their performance and facilitate their integration into the grid.
The wind farm is being constructed on cleared open and level land that is predominantly used for dairy farming.
The location, Moyne Shire is highly exposed to consistent winds, making the site ideal for wind powered electricity generation. Livestock grazing will continue around the wind turbines once construction is complete.
In 2018, the Mortlake South Wind Farm was successful in the Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) reverse auction. VRET is the Victorian Government’s legislated target aiming for 25% of electricity generation from renewable sources by 2020 and 40% by 2025.
RELATIONSHIP
With the acquisition of Acciona Windpower in 2016, the Nordex Group has become a global player and one of the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturers. The Group offers highly efficient and competitive wind turbine systems, which enable long-term economical power generation from wind energy in all geographical and climatic conditions.
THE SOLUTION
THIS PROJECT SAW THE INSTALLATION OF 25 NORDEX ACCIONA WIND TURBINE GENERATORS
SBL Solutions held the Mechanical and Electrical Installation scope of works on this construction project which saw the installation of 35 Nordex Acciona Wind Turbine Generators.
COMMUNITY
SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC ACTIVITY WITH POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE REGION
Generation of 80-100 construction jobs and up to 10 ongoing operations and maintenance jobs on site for the life of the project (~20+ years).
The farm brings substantial additional economic focus in the Moyne Shire, complementary to ongoing dairying, grazing, cropping, tourism and service activities, as well as substantial increase in the Moyne Shire’s rates base.
Introduction of diversified income for host landowners and a targeted Shared Benefits Program to strategically deliver added value to the local region for the operational life of the wind farm project.
TIMELINE
- Building access roads for transportation of equipment
- Preparing foundations to safely secure the turbines
- Towers assembled
- Connection of the turbines
- Maintenance building to accommodate staff
- Construction complete
LOCATION
THE WIND FARM IS CONSTRUCTED ON CLEARED, LEVEL LAND WHICH IS PREDOMINATELY DAIRY FARMING COUNTRY.
The location was selected for its high exposure to consistent winds across this part of the state and close proximity to the transmission network.
The location is highly exposed to consistent winds, making the site ideal for wind powered electricity generation. Livestock grazing will continue around the wind turbines once construction is complete.
The Shire of Moyne is a local government area in the Barwon South West region of Victoria, Australia, located in the south-western part of the state. It covers an area of 5,481 square kilometres and in June 2018 had a population of 16,887.
The industry base for the area includes dairy, beef cattle, sheep, vegetable production, manufacturing, quarrying, food products, pharmaceuticals, seafood and tourism.
BENEFITS
CREATED APPROXIMATELY 80-100 CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND POTENTIALLY 5-10 FULL TIME OPERATIONAL POSITIONS.
A substantial increase in Moyne Shire’s rates and diversifying the Shire’s income base from traditional sources, as well as providing a diversified income for wind farm host landowners.
Sponsorship Program – each year approximately $20,000 will be made available for community events, projects and activities. Community organisations and groups can apply for small grants through an application process.
Neighbourhood Benefit Program – is a proximity payment available to people who live (own or rent) in a dwelling that is located within 4kms of a wind turbine generator. The payments offered to eligible residents are made via preloaded EFTPOS cards, known as Neighbourhood Benefits Cards. The cards can be used to purchase goods and services at participating businesses within Mortlake, Noorat and Terang. Up to $180,000 is available for this program annually. The program encourages the community to shop local, keeping spending within the local economy.
NEIGHBOURHOOD BENEFIT PROGRAM
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD BENEFIT PROGRAM HAS HELPED NEIGHBOURS OF THE MORTLAKE SOUTH WIND FARM INJECT MORE THAN $80,000 INTO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
The Neighbourhood Benefit Program was developed to share the economic benefits of the wind farm with neighbouring residents. Anyone living within 4kms of a wind turbine can apply to receive EFTPOS cards to be used at more than 40 participating businesses in Mortlake, Terang and Noorat. This means the cashflow from the wind farm stays close to home, supporting local businesses and their families.
The Program ran throughout 2020, a year that proved difficult for the business community due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, the Program helped neighbours contribute almost $50,000 to businesses in Terang, Noorat and Mortlake. The Neighbourhood Benefit Cards are predominantly being used to access necessities and are providing practical help to families with home maintenance, farming and grocery shopping.
“It has taken almost 500,000 hours of hard work from the local workforce to reach this important milestone, with no lost-time injuries.” – Theo Carol, Acciona Community and Stakeholder Liason.
CONTACT SBL SOLUTIONS
Get in touch with SBL Solutions today. Our business’ number one priority is customising our clients’ s to provide the best possible solutions and outcomes for any given scenario. If you’d like to know more about us and our services, simply contact us to start the experience of Australia’s largest and leading service provider in the industry.