Regular oversized loads expected on Albany Highway as delivery of Flat Rocks Wind Farm components starts

About 180 oversized loads carrying turbine components to the site of the future Flat Rocks wind farm will be making their way south on Albany Highway over the coming two months. The 18-turbine first stage of the wind farm project in Broomehill West requires its components to be delivered by road from the Bunbury Port. It includes the delivery of 54 blades more than 73m long and each weighing 17 tonnes, 90 tower components between 12.7m and 36m, 18 130-tonne nacelles, and 18 36-ton hubs. Each day up to four loads are expected to make the 250km journey from Bunbury to the site north of Tambellup West Road. The loads are scheduled to be delivered between late May and mid-August. Enel Green Power is developing the first stage of the wind farm. EGP managing director Werther Esposito said the delivery of components to the site, which started late last week, was a “significant milestone”. “The foundations for all 18 wind turbines have recently been completed, with all civil works, including the internal road network nearing completion,” he said. “This milestone reflects a team effort by our project partners, construction partners and subcontractors. “We’d like to acknowledge and thank the team for their ongoing hard work and dedication to deliver the project safely and efficiently.” The components will leave Bunbury’s port early in the morning and arrive onsite between midday and 5pm depending on conditions and the components being delivered. They will travel via Coalfields Highway before turning on to Albany Highway at Arthur River and travelling south. Some of the longer components will travel as far as Kendenup before turning around to travel back north up Albany Highway to make the turn east towards the site easier. “Approximate times along the route can vary due to road and weather conditions, as well as compliance with relevant permit considerations,” Mr Esposito said. “The focus of our team is on facilitating safe movements of loads, with minimal disruption to other road users, this means there can be some delays on turbine component arrival on site.” He said the staged erection of the turbines is expected to start this week.