Mount Emerald Wind Farm

Major construction activities commenced in February 2017 and were completed in October 2018. With over 1,000 personnel inducted to the project and a peak workforce exceeding 300 per day, careful planning and co-ordination was required to ensure the safe and efficient staging of the works.

Building the wind farm meant solving several complex challenges. Not only does the site feature very rocky terrain and steep gradients, but it was also used as a World War 2 live fire training area. As a result mortars, grenades and other projectiles presented a hazard to construction.

This required extremely thorough searches to locate and dispose of unexploded ordnance that remained viable even 70 years after launch.

The site is also home to a population of the endangered Northern Quoll, as well as six protected plant species. Expert advice was sought throughout to minimise the impact of building on these sensitive environmental habitats.

Vestas Australian Wind Technology managed all construction works, with support from major subcontractors: Civil and Allied Technical Construction (civil engineering), Consolidated Power Projects (electrical engineering), Rex J Andrews Engineered Transport (logistics), and Windhoist Australia (turbine installation).

In addition, nearly 40 contractors from the Cairns and Tablelands region provided their skilled input into the construction process.