Taralga Wind Farm

Taralga Wind Farm

1. General Project Details

Company name: All construction and operations activities for this project will be undertaken by the Taralga Wind Farm Nominees No. 1 Pty Ltd trust and the Taralga Wind Farm Nominees No.2 Pty Ltd trust. Here forth the two trust funds will be referred to as the Taralga Wind Farm (TWF).

Description of the project: This project is located at Taralga, in regional NSW, and consists of 51 wind turbines with a 107 MW sub substation, connected to the NSW electricity grid at Marulan SS by a 38km 132kV connection asset. TWF will use the services of Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors, with a Wind Farm EPC contractor to construct the wind farm and a 132kV EPC contractor to construct the connection asset. At the time of developing this AIP Plan, negotiations with Tier 1 EPC contractors were well advanced. The project is underway with Stage 1 early works completed and stage 2 early works to commence shortly. The project currently provides opportunities for the supply of goods/services from Tier 2 and lower level suppliers in fields that include, but are not limited to civil, electrical, fencing and accommodation.

Project location: Taralga, NSW

Link to project information: Wind farm - www.taralga-windfarm.com.au 132 kV transmission line - www.downergroup.com

Project contact for procurement information (name, phone and email): Stuart Liddell, 0404 120 892, sliddell@cbdenergy.com.au

2. Opportunities for Australian industry involvement

Disclaimer: The information provided in the table above is based on initial assessment by the company. Any questions or issues should be raised with the project contact.

3. Communication Strategy

• Liaison with Industry Bodies – As part of its AIP program, TWF will work with its EPC contractors to engage with the Industry Capability Network (ICN) and industry associations (e.g. Australian Steel Institute and the Clean Energy Council) to communicate opportunities and identify potential suppliers. Advertisements will be placed in industry newsletters detailing the Requests for Tenders (RFT) expected to arise, to promote the project specific website (www.taralga-windfarm.com.au) and encourage potential project suppliers to register their details for upcoming RFTs.
• Public Information Activities – Regular briefings (minimum two monthly intervals) will be held to promote the project and to communicate upcoming potential RFTs. Upcoming information sessions will be advertised in local newspapers (Goulburn Post and Crookwell Gazette).
• Project Updates – Advertisements will be placed in local and/or regional media (newspapers and/or radio) which announce progress and events, and include project contact details such as the 1800 number, project email, postal address and website. 

4. Opportunities through all tiers of supply and in all stages of the project

• Australian and International Standards – The wind turbine generators use an ISO standard, otherwise Australian standards will apply. Where no Australian Standard exists a relevant industry standard will be specified, taking into account the capability of Australian industry.
• Project Specific Website – A project specific website (www.taralga-windfarm.com.au) provides up-to-date project information and will be developed to allow interested potential project suppliers to register their interest in working with Wind Farm EPC contractor and the types of goods and/or services they are capable of supplying.
• Pre-Qualification Opportunities – Pre-qualified suppliers will be eligible to receive RFTs when opportunities arise.
• Supplier Assessment Process – Potential project suppliers that register their interest will need to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire with details of capabilities, capacities, qualifications and financials. RFTs will have standard response deadlines (a minimum of four weeks), and be assessed equally on value for money, quality and adherence to specifications.
• AIP Obligations – AIP requirements will be communicated by the AIP Plan and provided to the EPC contractors who in turn will notify project suppliers of the AIP requirements.
• RFT Response Templates – EPC contractors intend to use standardised response templates to reduce the costs of responding to RFTs, which don’t require excessive information and provide clear information on what is required. 

5. Opportunities for longer-term participation

• International Events – The Wind Farm EPC contractor will provide high performing project suppliers with introductions to international organisations. Wind Farm EPC Contractor will also encourage and facilitate the attendance of project suppliers at international industry forums and conferences. The 132kV EPC contractor will discuss this area with its suppliers and offer access to its contacts.
• RFT Feedback – EPC contractors will provide unsuccessful suppliers with feedback that focuses on where they may improve for future RFTs.
• Training and Development – TWF and EPC contractors will review work undertaken by project suppliers to determine current capabilities and identify potential training and development opportunities. EPC contractors will conduct regular review meetings with suppliers to discuss contract performance. EPC contractors will encourage strengths and recommend remedial action, for identified weaknesses, to improve standards and develop new capabilities.
• Strategic partnerships – Where mutually beneficial arrangements are identified, EPC contractors will enter strategic partnerships with suppliers. Where synergies are identified between two or more suppliers, Wind Farm EPC Contractor will encourage the formation of partnerships, thus providing greater access to future RFTs that may not have been available to individual suppliers.
• Referee – EPC contractors will act as referee for high performing project suppliers. 

6. Procedures and Resources

• The Project Director has overall responsibility for AIP Plan implementation.
• TWF and EPC contractors’ project documentation systems will be used to maintain records of AIP Plan implementation, to collect evidence and record the outcomes achieved for Australian industry. The systems will also be used to track any inappropriate action undertaken and record the corrective action taken in response.
• Wind Farm EPC contractor will develop and implement a formal AIP policy for this project, which includes the actions of the AIP Plan and provides information on the intent of AIP for all Wind Farm EPC contractor staff.