Port Kembla has received the first components for the Bango Wind Farm, with 46 of the turbines due to be imported through the port over the next six months.
The achievement highlights the port’s role as a critical trade gateway and a major import hub for large renewable energy projects.
General Electric’s (GE) Cypress 5.3MW wind turbine components will be stored on berth at the Australian Amalgamated Terminals (AAT) facility before being transported by truck by heavy haulage operator, Rex J Andrews, to the project site, which is located approximately 30km north of Yass in New South Wales.
Upon arrival at the construction site, each turbine will be assembled to its full height of 125m.
The Bango Wind Farm is one of many renewable energy developments under construction across the state as the New South Wales Government pushes towards net zero emission energy by 2050.
New South Wales Ports CEO, Marika Calfas, said Port Kembla is a leader in the handling of large and heavy project cargo and is proud to play a role in these important renewable energy projects.
“Port Kembla’s AAT facility is equipped with hardstand and specialised equipment, machinery, cargo handling expertise and has ample on-dock storage capability.
“We are proud to work with our partners in the supply chain to support these important renewable energy projects for our state.
“With the addition of the Bango wind turbines, Port Kembla will have helped facilitate the import of 274 wind turbines for nine wind farms in NSW.
“This important trade is only possible because of the work of stevedores and specialist heavy haul logistics providers, who have the complex task of discharging the oversized cargo from the vessel and transporting them to the wind farms across regional New South Wales.”
GE Renewable Energy Onshore Wind Regional Leader & Head of Projects for ANZ, Leo Cooper, said the company selected Port Kembla because of its close proximity to the project site, the ample availability of storage space at berth and the ease of working with all parties in the supply chain.
Rex J Andrews Operations Manager, Warrick Andrews, said the transport operator was proud to be contributing to the take-up of renewable energy through its logistics support for the Bango Wind Farm project.
“The Rex J Andrews team has partnered with the New South Wales Ports team at Port Kembla to offer flexible, tailored logistics services that support the supply chain needs of large-scale infrastructure projects,” Mr Andrews said.
When complete, the Bango Wind Farm promises to deliver capacity of 244MW – generating enough energy to power over 100,000 homes* and save over 600,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year.
*Based on an average NSW household electricity consumption of 7.3 MWh annually.
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