Dalby, in the heart of the Darling Downs, is now home to the newest wind tower manufacturing plant in Australia, with RPG Australia acquiring a manufacturing facility in the town and is transforming it into a large scale wind tower plant.

RPG Australia Managing Director Barry Cox said this project will provide a major boost to Dalby.

“With 45 new jobs and a multi-million dollar investment in the local area, this contract will provide a real boost to the local economy. This is a long term investment in the local economy, and the locals have got right behind it,” he said.

RPG Australia is currently manufacturing 47 wind towers for the Capital Wind Farm in New South Wales at the Dalby plant. The contract, awarded by Suzlon Energy Australia, will require an investment of approximately $20 million to upgrade the Dalby facility and will create up to 45 long term skilled jobs for Dalby.

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The wind towers will be 80 metres high by 4.3 metres in diameter – manufactured in four sections with maximum weight of 65 tonnes per section. Each tower will be fully blasted, painted and coated – and will be fully fitted with platforms, cables and ladders prior to shipment to NSW.

A key challenge identified by the company is the recruitment of some 45 skilled workers for the new manufacturing plant.

“Early signs are encouraging with the appointment of senior personnel but we still require in excess of 25 skilled workers to meet our commitments,” Mr Cox said.

“Wind energy is set to play a major role in Australia meeting future renewable energy targets and now that is good news for Dalby,” said Mr Cox.

RPG Australia’s Adelaide plant has manufactured and supplied wind towers to many of Australia’s existing wind farms including Starfish Hill, Lake Bonny, Wattle Point, Hallett, Snowtown and Cathedral Rocks wind farms.