Siemens to source towers from Australia

The Australia and New Zealand unit of Siemens AG said last Thursday it was working to source 20 of the 90 wind towers for the 270-MW Snowtown II wind project from a local supplier within the time-frame of mid-2013.

Construction of the 270-MW expansion to the Snowtown wind farm in South Australia started in late October.

Siemens, a turn-key supplier for the project of New Zealand utility TrustPower Ltd, has aimed to procure half of the towers from Australian supplier RPG, which, however, was put into voluntary administration.

Siemens is now negotiating a supply deal with E&A Contractors, part of Australian company E&A Ltd, which acquired RPG’s key staff and assets.

These will be incorporated into E&A Contractors’ fabrication and manufacturing business at Whyalla, South Australia.

Welcoming the announcement, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, said that over 80% of wind towers used in the country so far have been provided by Australian suppliers.