Renewables Energy Projects Update – November 2021 Report From Mel
Read about the current projects happening or proposed in our area from Mel Zerner:
REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOYDER
RENEWABLES ENERGY PROJECTS UPDATE REPORT – 30 NOVEMBER 2021
As reported on the ECBAT Website.
1 NEOEN – GOYDER RENEWABLES ZONE
Stage 1,2 & 3 – South of Burra & North of Robertstown near Koonoona Road, World’s End & Bright.
Neoen are the Developers, Owners & Operators of the project & are now progressing steadily to commence South Stage 1A & 1B for the construction of approximately 75 wind turbines in the hills between Burra & Robertstown and Koonoona Road.
The company held Community Information Sessions at Eudunda & Robertstown on Wednesday 3 November & Burra on Thursday 4 November as well a further Supplier Networking Session at Burra in the late afternoon of 4 November. The Burra sessions were particularly well attended & there is substantial interest from the community & businesses on the economic impact of the wind farm on the community.
At this stage there are 2 companies who are Consortium Partners with Neoen & are overseeing the project:
- GE Renewable Energy who will be supplying & installing the wind turbines & commissioning the windfarm control system. GE Renewable Energy is a division of GE focusing on production of energy from renewable resources.
- Green Light who will be:
1) designing & supplying all wind farm civil infrastructure (foundations, roads & buildings)
2) design & supply all wind farm civil electrical infrastructure (33kv cables, earthing, communications, wind farm control system) &
3) Design, supply & commission HV substation and overhead power line. Green Light is a wholly owned subsidiary of Elecnor and who are specialists in the integrated management of infrastructure projects.
There will be many other contracting companies & local businesses involved in the project which is expected to take 2-3 years & employ up to 300 workers.
It is expected that there will be 5 stages over the total Goyder Renewable Zone project – 3 for Goyder South & 2 for Goyder North.
The companies are expected to have management & engineering staff on site from early in 2022 with construction to start in April 2022.
An accommodation register is being maintained by Mel Zerner who is voluntarily assisting the Regional Council of Goyder as a Project/Community Liaison Representative. There are approximately 30 private houses on the register from Burra alone not including any of the tourist accommodation. Approximately another 30 houses are also on the register from surrounding towns such as Robertstown, Eudunda, Farrell Flat, Hanson, Bright, Point Pass, Ngapala, Mintaro & Clare.
2 ELECTRANET PROJECT ENERGY CONNECT – INTERCONNECTOR
From the Robertstown Power Substation to the SA/NSW border.
Electranet are managing the construction of the transmission line & power substations for the project & the section between Robertstown & Morgan is of particular interest to the local community.
The power transmission line is being constructed by Downers & the smaller substations are being constructed by Consolidated Power Projects at Bundey about 12 kms from the Robertstown substation & at North West bend near Morgan.
Downers require accommodation for approximately 130 workers for up to 18 months around Morgan & surrounds & Consolidated Power Projects require accommodation for approximately 30 workers around Robertstown & Eudunda for a similar period.
Downers are currently investigating accommodation options either using an onsite camp at North West Bend near Morgan or using private housing in Morgan & surrounding areas including Cadell, Murbko, Mt Mary, Florieton & Eudunda. Mel Zerner & staff from the Mid-Murray Council office in Morgan have been “refreshing” availability of an existing accommodation register that was developed several years ago & Downers are showing interest in using this model of accommodation.
The economic impact to the region, of supplying accommodation & food services etc for the workers, is substantial, so every effort will be made to work with Downers & impress upon them the importance of this proposal for the region.
Construction on the project is expected to commence in April/May 2022.
OTHER PROJECTS
As previously reported, there are 4 other Renewable Energy projects in the Goyder region:
- EPS Energy/AMP Energy – Robertstown Solar – Robertstown
- Solar River Project – Florieton
- Australia Plains Solar Farm & Morgan Solar Farm – Green Gold Energy
- Twin Creek Wind Farm – Renewables Energy Systems – Eudunda/Kapunda
These projects are still progressing & construction is not expected to commence until at least the second half of 2022. More detailed reports will be provided on 28 February 2022.
LOCAL ADVANTAGES & BENEFITS
The Regional Council of Goyder councilors & staff, the Burra Community Association, Eudunda Community Business & Tourism Committee (ECBAT) & the Robertstown & District Community & Management Committee are ensuring that the maximum possible impact & interaction is gained from these projects in the local communities from Burra to Eudunda by connecting the contractors of each project to the local labour force, accommodation & food providers & other businesses. This is being done as a community service project with Mel Zerner, a former local Eudunda resident, voluntarily assisting Goyder Council & the other community groups in this initiative.
Mel is in regular contact with the key owners or employees of all of the above projects to obtain status reports and then respond to their local requirements as required.
