Acciona Energia has begun construction of foundations at the 1026MW MacIntyre wind farm in Queensland, Australia.
After three months of earthworks and ground preparation, concrete has begun to pour for 180 foundations that will support some of the most powerful onshore wind turbines in the world.
Acciona Energía’s Managing Director in Australia, Brett Wickham, said construction was proceeding at “full steam”, creating nearly 700 jobs and supporting hundreds of local businesses in the process.
“We’re extremely grateful for the support we’ve received from the local community as we build this transformational project,” said Wickham, adding: “We’ve committed to procuring as much work as possible from local businesses so that the benefits are felt right throughout the community.”
The A$2bn (€1.3bn) project is procuring A$500m in work from Queensland businesses.
From earthworks, transport and accommodation to food and engineering, the project is being delivered to support as many Queensland businesses as possible.
“These major projects are vital in the regions helping to create new economic foundations that can support larger local economies and new employment opportunities for those living in the area,” said Wickham.
Queensland based Ark Energy and co-investor in the MacIntyre wind farm
“MacIntyre has set a new high bar for what renewable energy is capable of and how industry can decarbonise its supply chain,” said Ark Energy CEO Daniel Kim.
“Ark Energy will use renewable energy from the MacIntyre Wind Farm to decarbonise its zinc refinery operations in Townsville becoming one of the first major refineries in the world to produce green zinc,” Kim added.
The pouring of the first foundation follows on the back of the MacIntyre Wind Farm Community Morning Tea to celebrate the recipients of the 2022 Community Sponsorship recipients.
This year over A$100,000 was awarded across 25 local organisations in support of projects that promote sustainable development, health and education or contribute towards addressing social disadvantage within the community.
One of this year’s recipients, the Rural Doctors Foundation were awarded $10,000 to purchase additional medihoods for local hospitals to protect healthcare workers against the spread of COVID19 and other infectious diseases.