The first shipment of wind turbines destined for the West Coast’s new Granville Harbour Wind Farm has arrived at the Port of Burnie.

The shipment consists of 45 Vestas turbine blades and associated componentry from China where the latest-technology materials are manufactured.

Each blade is 62 metres long.

Project spokesperson, Lyndon Frearson, said the arrival of the first turbine components into Burnie marked a significant milestone for the $280 million renewable energy project, to be built near Zeehan on Tasmania’s West Coast.

“With 31 Vestas 3.6 megawatt (MW) turbines, Granville Harbour Wind Farm will have the capacity to generate 112MW of clean energy – that’s enough electricity to power around 46,000 homes, almost every household in the North West of the State,” he said.

“This project will not only make a significant contribution to the West Coast, it will also help Tasmania achieve its goal to be 100% renewable energy self-sufficient by 2022.”

From Burnie Port, the turbines will be transported to a nearby storage facility until they are needed on site.

It is expected that the transportation of turbine components from Burnie to Granville Harbour Wind Farm will commence in late January.

Construction of the Granville Harbour Wind Farm is expected to take 18 months.