Port of Bunbury in the wind

THE PORT of Bunbury in southern Western Australia is reaping the rewards of the state’s energy transition policy.

Its latest delivery, importing more than 180 windfarm components for King Rocks Wind Farm in the Wheatbelt, arrived on the AAL Shanghai ahead of the AAL Antwerp, carrying 51 turbine blades, each up to 80 metres in length.

Southern Ports chief executive Keith Wilks said the Port of Bunbury’s flexible capacity to handle large-scale project cargo was unlocking critical energy transition projects across the state’s southern regions.

The components will be transported by road to King Rocks, which is under construction north-east of Hyden, over the coming months.

Mr Wilks said the Port of Bunbury has a key role supporting Western Australia’s energy transition.

“There are a range of renewable energy projects at various stages of development across the South West and neighbouring regions which are made viable by being able to move components through Bunbury,” Mr Wilks said.

The windfarm is being developed by Vestas, for state-electricity supplier Synergy.

Components from the two shipments were moved into laydown, located less than 300 metres from the berth following their arrival.

“The Port’s current eight designated laydown areas combine to cover more than 136,000m² and are just a short distance from our general-purpose berth,” Mr Wilks said.

“The laydown access increases the viability of project cargo trade at the port as it means transportation off site can be done as a matter of convenience rather than aligning with shipping movements.”

“The Port of Bunbury has played a key role in energy transition projects right across the south of the state unlocking opportunities in the South West, Great Southern and now the Wheatbelt.”

As the import terminal, the Port of Bunbury has enabled Synergy’s Collie Battery Energy Storage System and the Enel Flat Rocks Wind Farm as well as other key energy transition projects.