Vestas Backing Asian Super Hub

Vestas is part of team planning to develop an up to 6GW wind and solar hybrid plant in Australia that would export electricity to Indonesia via an undersea cable.

The Asian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), which is proposed for Western Australia’s East Pilbara region, is being developed by the Danish company, CWP Energy Asia and InterContinental Energy.

The partners said onshore and offshore development studies for the AREH are underway, with   the project scheduled to be supplying power by 2025.

The plans has been submitted for environmental review in Australia, Vestas said.

The initiative aims to produce the wind and solar generating equipment in Indonesia, creating skilled, high-tech jobs and developing a local supply chain.

The developers are currently looking to engage potential Indonesian manufacturing, construction and investment partners.

“The scale of the wind turbines, solar panels and related equipment needed for the project would be large enough to justify building new manufacturing facilities in Indonesia,” Vestas said.

Prysmian and Swire Pacific Offshore have assisted with the feasibility work and remain engaged in the project, the Danish manufacturer added.

The first phase of AREH has an initial cost estimate of US$10bn, with other phases potentially supplying renewable energy to other countries in south-east Asia.

Vestas Asia Pacific president Clive Turton said: “The Asian Renewable Energy Hub can compete over the long-term as a cost-effective means of supplying energy.

“It can also provide the foundation for a strong Indonesian renewable energy technology manufacturing hub, driving investment, job creation and a local value-added supply chain.”