Western Australia’s state-owned energy business Synergy says it will re-purpose wind turbines from the decommissioning of the Ten Mile Lagoon and Nine Mile Beach wind farms in Esperance, which are among the earliest built in Australia.
Two wind turbines will be donated to North Metropolitan TAFE for students studying clean energy and six will be repurposed at new wind farm sites.
Related article: New process to recycle wind turbines wins funding
Synergy commenced the decommissioning of Esperance’s coastal wind farms in 2022. During decommissioning, the wind turbines, site offices and other ancillary infrastructure are removed from the site, followed by the revegetation of roads and foundation pads.
Synergy thermal generation general manager Angie Young said, “Ten Mile Lagoon and Nine Mile Beach wind farms are no longer required and have been inactive for a number of years.
“Sustainability is a core focus at Synergy and we are committed to ensuring the site’s infrastructure will be reused and repurposed.
“We’re excited to be able to support our future workforce by donating some of the turbines to North Metropolitan TAFE, furthering renewable energy education in WA.”
North Metropolitan TAFE managing director, Michelle Hoad welcomed the donation of two wind turbines to its Midland campus, which will soon become home to WA’s first Clean Energy Training Centre.
“This donation will give students the opportunity to work on real industry infrastructure to gain the skills they need to enter the clean energy workforce. It is integral to North Metropolitan TAFE’s mission to skill Western Australians for a clean energy future,” she said.
Related article: Whoa, we’re halfway there: WA EV Network milestone
The dismantling, transportation and refurbishment of the wind turbines will be undertaken by WA company Advanced Energy Resources.
Internal road bases and tower concrete foundations will be donated to the Shire of Esperance for reuse in the Goldfields-Esperance region.
