Port of Newcastle welcomes first of 30,000 wind turbine components, cementing critical role in NSW’s clean energy future
Port of Newcastle has welcomed the arrival of the first major shipment of wind turbine components destined for Squadron Energy’s Uungula Wind Farm, marking the beginning of a new era for renewable energy logistics in NSW.
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PON CEO, Craig Carmody, said the shipment signals the start of what will be an unprecedented volume of renewable energy infrastructure passing through Newcastle, with up to 30,000 wind turbine and renewable energy components expected over the coming decade.
“This first consignment not only highlights the Port of Newcastle’s unrivalled capability to manage large-scale renewable energy projects but also demonstrates our commitment to advancing NSW’s clean energy transformation.
“With major projects like Uungula Wind Farm underway, the Port is reaffirming its central role as the state’s gateway for renewable energy components, from wind to solar and battery installations.”
Located 14 kilometres east of Wellington, NSW, Uungula Wind Farm will feature 69 turbines and generate enough clean energy to power the equivalent of more than 220,000 homes, avoiding over 560,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year once complete.
Squadron Energy Executive General Manager Development and Delivery, Tony Clark said these were the first Uungula Wind Farm components to hit Australian shores, with the tower parts being stored at Port of Newcastle until the site is ready for them later in the year.
“This is a big milestone for the project, as we prepare the site for turbine installation,” Mr Clark said.
“Port of Newcastle’s state of the art storage facilities means our components will be well looked after until we’re ready for them to make the journey from Newcastle to site.
“We’re powering through work on site and can’t wait to start erecting the first turbine early next year, getting one step closer to generating clean energy through our 414MW project.”
Mr Carmody said today’s milestone underpins the close collaboration between PON, the NSW Government, and private sector partners to support the diversity and reliability of the state’s energy sector.
“We are proud to work alongside industry and government to deliver a cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable energy future for NSW. Today’s arrival is just the beginning of a decade-defining transformation, and Port of Newcastle is ready to deliver,” he said.
Recent analysis shows that 86% of wind farm Environmental Impact Statements in NSW have named Port of Newcastle as the potential entry point for their componentry. Additionally, 77% of all renewable energy projects across the state, including batteries and solar, have specified PON as a gateway, making it a vital link in the supply chain for the state’s decarbonisation efforts through the 2030s.
“PON’s investment in specialised on-site storage infrastructure means that large wind turbine blades, towers, and drive trains can be efficiently received, securely stored, and dispatched to projects statewide, minimising double handling and reducing unnecessary transport in regional communities,” Mr Carmody continued.
Since 2020, Port of Newcastle has handled components destined for projects in Yass, Boorowa, and the Southern Tablelands, as well as managing cargo, such as spare blades, bound for wind farms across Australia.
Today’s arrival comes off the back of a $115.5 million investment by the NSW Government toward the construction of the Newcastle Logistics Precinct adjacent to the Port, with dedicated pavements for storage and seamless road access to renewable energy zones throughout NSW. The funding was announced at the Port in June by NSW Minister for Energy, Penny Sharp MP.