AU$ 1 billion Macarthur Wind Farm development contract awarded

The Vestas and Leighton Contractors consortium has been awarded a AU$ 1billion (US$ 869 million) contract for the Macarthur Wind Farm development in the Western Districts of Victoria, Australia by the AGL and Meridian Joint Venture.

What will be "the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere" will generate up to 420 MW of electricity - enough energy to power around 220000 "average" homes each year.

It is expected the first section of the wind farm will be complete in May 2012, with a total project completion date scheduled for early 2013.

Leighton Contractors will undertake the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), which consists of associated balance of plant design, construction and commissioning of the electrical, mechanical and civil works.

The value of the contract to the company is approximately AU$ 290 million (US$ 260 million).

Commenting on the contract win, Peter McMorrow, managing director of Leighton Contractors, said, "This is a vital piece of infrastructure for the renewable energy industry and the wider community. Our priority will be to deliver a quality project on time, while ensuring our teams meet world class safety standards.

"Australia has excellent wind resources by world standards and this project will assist AGL and Meridian to further utilise this resource to reduce CO2 emissions and contribute to a more environmentally sustainable future for Australia.

The scope of works for the two contracts is inclusive of the Macarthur Wind Farm 33/132kV sub-station, Tarrone 132/500kV terminal sub-station, 12 km of 132kV overhead transmission line to the Tarrone terminal sub-station, 33kV underground cable collector systems, sub-station SCADA interface, as well as the international shipping, local transportation and mechanical erection of the 85 m towers, machine heads and blades.

Macarthur Wind Farm will be jointly developed by leading Australian energy company AGL and Meridian.