Downer EDI-GE consortium to develop first stage of $350m Australian wind farm

Downer EDI, an engineering company based in Australia, has been granted a development contract for $350m Boco Rock wind farm in New South Wales (NSW) along with its consortium partner GE Australia.

As per the contract, Downer GE Consortium will provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for the first stage of the project located in south west of Nimmitabel, in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains region.

GE, as a part of consortium, will supply and commission a total of 67 wind turbine generators including 58 of 1.7MW rating and nine 1.6MW turbines of 1.6MW.

Commenting on the contract, Downer chief executive officer Grant Fenn claimed that the company would develop the first stage of Boco Rock project using its capabilities and expertise in the renewable energy sector.

"Other key wind farms that Downer has delivered successfully include the Collgar Wind Farm in Western Australia, Lake Bonney Wind Farm in South Australia, Waubra Wind Farm in Victoria and the Mt Mercer Wind Farm, also in Victoria, which is currently under construction," added Fenn.

Downer’s works includes construction of the 132kV transmission line and substation, balance of plant, civil and electrical infrastructure, logistics, and erection of the wind turbine generators.

Following the completion of all its planned stages, Boco Rock wind farm is expected to have over 100 turbines.

With construction of the first stage scheduled in the third quarter of 2013, the project is expected to commence delivering power from the fourth quarter of 2014.