GE Vernova to supply 1.4GW in onshore wind turbines to Australian billionaire Forrest

GE Vernova as part of its strategic framework agreement with Squadron Energy announced earlier this month will supply the Australian renewables group owned by mining billionaire Andrew Forrest 1.4GW of its 6MW wind turbines across three large projects in New South Wales.

All three projects will use GE Vernova’s 6.0-164 ‘workhorse’ model which will enable the standardisation of grid and project execution elements across the portfolio, the company said.

“Across global markets, securing supply chains to mitigate risk and ensure a swift roll-out of renewable energy projects has been identified as one of the greatest challenges facing the sector and the shift to more renewable energy,” said Vic Abate, CEO of GE Vernova’s wind business.

“This alliance with Squadron Energy is another example of GE Vernova’s ability to deliver on our workhorse strategy – producing fewer variants in large quantities at scale to drive quality and reliability across the fleet for our customers.”

While GE Vernova will supply its wind turbines to the Uungala project next to engineering, procurement and construction expertise through its consortium partners CCP, the Jeremiah and Spicers Creek wind farms will be built under a split-scope delivery model, which GE said would unlock additional project value.

“This partnership with GE Vernova will accelerate Australia’s transition to green energy. Squadron Energy is committed to delivering a 14GW renewable energy development pipeline - one-third of the Australian Government’s 82% 2030 renewable energy target,” Andrew Forrest said.

Australian climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen added: “The Australian Government welcomes the partnership between GE and Squadron Energy with its ambitious 14GW renewable and storage development pipeline.

“These projects are further proof renewable energy investors are getting on with the job, capitalising on Australia's huge renewable potential, and helping transform our energy grid for the 21st Century.

“Firmed renewable energy and storage is not only the cheapest form of energy but provides crucial reliability as increasingly old and unreliable coal-fired power stations inevitably exit the system.”