GEELONGPORT has just crossed the 500,000-tonne mark for wind turbine componentry handled for the Golden Plains Wind Farm.

The cargo is transported from the port to Rokewood near Geelong, where the $2-billion first phase of the Golden Plains Wind Farm is taking shape.

Construction of the wind farm began in the first quarter of 2023 and will feature 122 turbines.

During the project’s first stage, known as Golden Plains Wind Farm – East, GeelongPort should receive 1464 components on 21 individual shipments.

Another vessel transporting equipment is due to arrive at GeelongPort this week.

“Over the past six months, we have seen experts across the entire supply chain working together to deliver the components to Rokewood and bring us another step closer to generating more clean energy for Victoria,” GeelongPort GM commercial Elias Anastasiou said.

“Each blade is half the length of the MCG, so it’s no easy feat to move them safely and efficiently.”  

GeelongPort noted the project is also moving ahead on site, with the first turbine for stage one successfully installed in February.

The V162 wind turbines are the first of their type to be installed in Victoria. They showcase Vestas’ tallest onshore hub height (149 metres) and longest blades (79 metres) and have Vestas’ highest-rated output in Australia at 6.2 megawatts.

The major components used to construct the 122 wind turbines include 366 blades, 732 tower sections and 122 individual powertrains, which make up the gearbox and the generator; nacelles, which cover the generator functions at the top of the wind turbine; and hubs positioned at the centre of the three blades.