Thai firm to build $268m onshore wind farm in Queensland 
Ratch Australia, a unit of Thai energy company, Ratchaburi Electricity, is building a $268m onshore windfarm scheme in Queensland, Australia. It has hired US engineer, Aecom, to oversee the technical compliance requirements for the Mount Emerald Wind Farm, while Danish turbine-maker Vestas and Sydney-based consultant Downer Group are also involved. The farm has 53 turbines, and all electricity generated until 2030 will be sold to Ergon Energy under approval from the Queensland and Australian governments. The project should be finished by late 2018.

US engineer Aecom has been appointed to a $268m (A$360m) onshore windfarm scheme in the Australian state of Queensland.

The company will manage technical compliance requirements, key risks and challenges for the 53-turbine Mount Emerald Wind Farm.

The client for the scheme is Ratch Australia, an independent power producer, and the local subsidiary of Thai energy company Ratchaburi Electricity.

Ratch has also appointed Danish turbine-maker Vestas and Sydney-based consultant Downer Group to the scheme, which is presently in the design stage.

The announcement followed Ergon Energy’s decision in May of this year to purchase all of the electricity generated by the wind farm to the end of 2030. The project has received approval from both the Queensland and Australian governments following four years of on-the-ground studies.

Craig Chambers, power director of Aecom, said: "The Aecom team has delivered more than 3GW of wind projects, supporting a variety of clients across a broad range of services in Australia.

"We bring a detailed technical knowledge and understanding of the regulatory requirements as well as industry best practice, ensuring that Ratch Australia has direct access to some of the most experienced wind sector professionals in the market."

Subject to final approvals, the project is scheduled to be completed by late 2018.

Image via Aecom