The first shipment of wind turbines are set to arrive at the port of Cairns next month as part of green energy projects.
There are at least 44 large scale renewable energy project in Queensland and Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the turbines and components would be used on Neoen's $373 million 157-megawatt Kaban wind farm.
"The port of Cairns has been very successful in establishing itself as a project hub for the North, particularly for wind farm components," Mr Bailey said.
"The parts to build all 28 wind turbines will be discharged in Cairns before being transported to the Kaban wind farm site on the Atherton Tablelands near the town of Ravenshoe.
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"With blades measuring in at 80 metres in length and weighing 24 tonnes, this extremely large cargo must be expertly handled and stored before departing for the Tablelands.
"This month we will see eight of the 28 turbines arrive in the port, with the rest to follow over the next seven months - generating an estimated 27,500 revenue tonnes of cargo over the life of the project."
Member for Cairns Michael Healy said projects like the Kaban wind farm would bring jobs and growth to the Far North Queensland region, while supporting ongoing opportunities at the state-owned Port of Cairns.
"The renewables project will see the creation of around 250 jobs during the construction phase and represents a significant boost to our local economy, especially for the contractors, suppliers, transport and logistics companies involved," he said.
The wind farm components which include tower sections, blades, nacelles, hubs and drive trains will be unloaded at the wharves and stored at a number of sites in the port including a purpose built five-hectare Tingira Street site.
Ports North chairman Russell Beer said that upgrades to the project cargo laydown areas in the port were underway with HEH Civil Pty Ltd engaged to carry out the required civil works.
"Ports North has been actively working to increase project cargo shipping through the port and to have another wind farm import its cargo through the port confirms the capabilities of Cairns as a project shipping port," Mr Beer said.
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