Economic development

Berrybank 1 Wind Farm project is contributing to boost the local economic development in the region through the direct and indirect employment creation and the support to the Australian wind industry.

Employment creation

Our project is committed to create new job opportunities and retaining existing jobs related to the renewable energy sector, not only directly by our company but also by our contractors and subcontractors during the Construction and Operation phases.

Promoting the vocational training by employing local apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets is also part of our commitments in order to increase the know-how and the labor experience in the wind sector, contributing to the growth of the next generation of skilled workers in Victoria.

If you would like to join the GPG family and begin your career in the Wind Industry, please email your resume to Philip Beattie

Renewable Industry Growth

Our project is also contributing to support the renewable energy industry through hiring local contractors, suppliers and manufacturers as well as collaborating with our main partners and contractors to implement initiatives that let improve such sector capabilities in terms of manufacturing, logistics, training, research, etc.

Applicable plans

All our commitments in terms of local economic development are included in the following plans associated to the project.

Local Industry Development Plan (LIDP)

According to the Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP), a Local Industry Development Plan has been implemented in order to fulfill with this policy requirements, which is applicable for projects classified as VIPP Strategic Projects.The VIPP is part of the Local Jobs First Policy which look for putting firstthe Victorian businesses and workers during the Construction and the Operation of the wind farm.

Strategic Projects such as Berrybank 1 Wind Farm are subject to rigorous local content requirements to help drive additional economic activity and jobs. For that reason our project was designed to be delivered in order to meet local content and locally milled steel figures of at least 64% and 90% respectively during the Construction phase as well as a minimum of a local content figure of 90% during the Operation phase.

In parallel, our project is expected to create approximately 213 new local Annualized Employee Equivalent (AEE) jobs and additionally retain other 276 AEEs during the all period comprised by the construction and the operational phases.

Local Investment Plan (LIP)

Our commitment and approach to increasing capital investment in the renewable energy industry, manufacturing and associated industries in Victoria, has been put in place through the implementation of a Local Investment Plan which is being delivered by our EPC Contractor, Vestas. This plan is based on the development of the Vestas Renewable Energy Hub (VREH). The VREH was designed to be scaled sustainably, as the VRET expands Victoria’s renewable energy market, and to address every aspect of the Wind Power value chain. The VREH is building Victorian industry capability in Wind Turbine Machine Assembly, Subcomponent Supply, Wind Farm Maintenance, Logistics and Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Science, through the implementation of 5 initiatives:

  • Western Victorian Service Support Centre
  • Australian Main Component Logistics and Maintenance Centre
  • Wind Turbine Manufacturing Facility (hubs and drive trains assembly by Marand Engineering)
  • Wind Turbine Technician Training – Federation University
  • Wind Carbon Research Partnership – Deakin University

Major Projects Skills Guarantee Compliance Plan (MPSG)

According to the Major Projects Skills Guarantee which is also part of the Local Jobs First Policy, a MPSG Compliance Plan has been implemented in order to fulfill with this other policy requirements. The MPSG is focused on providing opportunities for Victorian apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets to work on some of Victoria’s biggest building and infrastructure projects. Based on this policy, a minimum of 10% of the total estimated labour hours is to be contributed by hours of work performed by Victorian registered apprentices, Victorian registered trainees, and/or engineering cadets. Our company and contractors/subcontractors are contributing to fulfill this commitment.

Suggestions


Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates for the progress of wind farm and its commitments to the community.

Loading