WestWind Energy Capability Statement February 2022
ABOUT US Local Presence, Global Expertise Based in the regional Victorian town of Gisborne, WestWind Energy is part of the WestWind Group of companies, headquartered in Kirchdorf in North-Western Germany. The WestWind Energy Group built its first wind farm in the community of Marklohe (northern Germany) in 1999 (Lemke Wind Park). Since this time, the WestWind Energy Group has expanded both within Germany and internationally. By June 2021, the WestWind Energy Group has developed and constructed over 58 wind farm projects incorporating over 218 wind turbines. The total installed capacity is currently over 450 MW, with a target of installing an additional 400-500MW in Germany by 2030. The WestWind Energy Group has 2 wind farms currently under construction, with a further 25 in the planning and approval stages. To date, the WestWind Group has also constructed 8 substations and carries out the technical and administrative management of over 40 wind farms and grid operating companies (substations), and is active in international markets, including Turkey, Poland, Canada, and Australia. The establishment of WestWind Energy in Australia took shape in 2003 from the idea of expanding the activities of the WestWind Group of companies internationally. At the invitation of the Victorian and Federal Governments a new business in Australia was investigated and WestWind Energy Pty Ltd was established in regional Victoria, Australia in 2004. Demonstrating an understanding that the market conditions in Australia are markedly different from the German market and elsewhere in the world, WestWind Energy in Australia operates with its own management and flexibility in its business model to work successfully in the local market. The idea of cooperating with renewable energy industry professionals to combine profitability and environmental protection has proven to be successful and forms the basis of how we do business around the world. We are honest, open, ethical, and fair. We do what we say we will do, and people trust us to adhere to our word.
A Culture of Safety At WestWind Energy safety is everyone’s number one responsibility! Westwind Energy and its officers recognise that the health and safety of all employees and visitors is of the utmost importance and vital to the success of our business. As such we aim to continuously improve health and safety in the workplace through consultation and increased health and safety awareness of management and employees. Through the co-operative efforts of management and employees, we are committed to: providing a safe environment for all employees and visitors to our workplace; providing and maintaining buildings, plant and equipment in safe working condition; supporting the on-going training of employees; developing, implementing and monitoring safe work practices; setting targets and continuously improving the standards of health and safety in the workplace; identifying hazards and managing risks in the workplace; and providing information, instruction and supervision. The focus of Westwind Energy’s health and safety management system is to identify hazards and to manage risks. We have developed a framework for health and safety management and a plan for systematic risk assessment and control of hazards, to progressively improve safe behaviours and safe systems of work across the business.
Why partner with WestWind Energy? WestWind Energy has the abilities, expertise and proven experience to manage development and operations of wind energy facilities. From green field site identification through to planning, construction and into operation, we work efficiently and cooperatively with our project partners. Westwind Energy currently has 15 employees in Australia with a highly experienced management team and a skill set tailored to successful project development and operations. Westwind Energy is an existing, highly respected business with established processes and procedures, existing business infrastructure and a first-class industry network.
Global Supplier Relationships
Market Experience
Tier 1 Advisors & Consultants
Highly Qualified Technical Team
Australia Industry Knowledge
Best Practice Stakeholder Engagement
Strong Relationships with Government & Regulatory Authorities
Diversified Pipeline of Projects
Key Partners of WestWind Energy WestWind Energy’s network of key partners for the development, construction and asset management consists of a mix of well renowned large companies with strong brand recognition, as well as trusted specialist service providers that provide bespoke services to our team.
We live our mission and values Passion
Integrity We are honest, open, ethical, and fair. We do what we say we will do, and people trust us to adhere to our word.
Teamwork We believe in building and creating a diverse team environment where employees are supportive of each other’s efforts, loyal to one another, and respect each other both personally and professionally. Our employees think big, have fun, and feel proud of the work they do.
Sustainability We hold a high regard for nature and are committed to enhancing the environment, with business practices that are good for people, communities, and the planet.
Passion and determination is the heart of our company. We are committed to continuously moving forward, innovating, and improving.
Respect We embody a deep respect for people inside and outside our company and for the communities in which we work and live.
Health & Safety We promote a culture focused on safety through collective commitment by leaders and individuals to emphasise safety over competing goals to ensure protection and wellbeing for our employees, contractors and partners.
High Standards We have high standards for ourselves and partner with people and companies that value a job well done.
WestWind Energy’s mission is to be a driver of change towards a sustainable energy future for our planet. WestWind Energy’s contribution is through the development of cost effective renewable energy generation and storage solutions refined through technical excellence, commitment to communities, and cohesive company values.
WestWind Energy Project Experience
WestWind Project Experience As of July 2021, the German WestWind Energy team has developed and constructed 60 wind farm projects incorporating 225 wind turbines. The total installed capacity is currently 465 MW, with a target of installing an additional 400-500MW in Germany by 2030. Currently, the German WestWind Energy team has one 56MW wind farm with 14 turbines under construction. The German WestWind team has also constructed multiple substations and solar farms and carries out the technical and administrative management of almost 100 wind farm companies, 10 solar farm companies and 8 grid operating companies (substations). Apart from Germany, the group is also active in international markets, including Turkey, Poland, Canada, Austria and Australia. In Australia, WestWind Energy’s extensive project development experience has achieved over 450 permitted wind turbine locations. WestWind Energy is the largest wind farm developer in the state of Victoria by approved MWs with over 2,000 MW of approved capacity across four projects. The WestWind Energy team has been working on the Golden Plains Wind Farm since 2006 and as a result has in-depth knowledge of the project site and design considerations, compliance requirements and environmental constraints. WestWind has spent years working in the local community and has developed positive working relationships with the local, state and federal government and many of the key stakeholders. These relationships and extensive project background knowledge make WestWind Energy the ideal candidate to successfully transition the Golden Plains Wind Farm Project from development, through to construction and into operations. 8
Mount Mercer Wind Farm
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The Mount Mercer Wind Farm was WestWind Energy’s first wind farm development in Australia. The facility is located approximately thirty kilometres south of Ballarat, in one of the windiest regions of Victoria and close to existing major electricity grid infrastructure. The wind farm comprises 64 wind turbines with a rated capacity of 2.05 MW each and produces over 390,000 MWh of clean electricity per year. This is equivalent to the annual consumption of more than 73,000 average Victorian households, or approximately twice the number of households in the nearby City of Ballarat. Using our rigorous site selection criteria, WestWind Energy identified the Mount Mercer Wind Farm site in the spring of 2004, and by April 2007 had received a planning permit from the Minister for Planning. In 2009, the Mount Mercer Wind Farm Project was sold to Meridian Energy as a greenfield site. Meridian Energy began construction in December 2010, with generation commencing in November 2013 and in October 2014, the Mount Mercer wind farm was fully operational.
Lal Lal Wind Farm
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The Lal Lal Wind Farm is located near the Mt Mercer Wind Farm on two sections of farmland in the Moorabool Shire. The Yendon Section is 2 km east of Yendon (17 km southeast of Ballarat) and the Elaine Section is 2 km north of Elaine (and 17 km southsoutheast of Ballarat). WestWind Energy identified the Lal Lal Wind Farm in 2006 as a potential wind farm site, and in April 2009 the Minister for Planning issued a permit. This permit granted approval for the Lal Lal Wind Farm, comprising 64 wind turbines with a total rated power of between 130 MW and 192 MW, under the Moorabool Planning Scheme. In 2015 WestWind Energy submitted an application to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to amend the wind farm permit to facilitate the use of new, more efficient wind turbine technology. The permit amendment application was approved by the Victorian Planning Minister in March 2017, following a planning panel hearing in November 2016, and the project was sold to Macquarie Capital in 2017.
Moorabool Wind Farm
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The Moorabool Wind Farm project is located approximately 5km south of Ballan, Victoria; approximately 67km from Melbourne, 27km from Ballarat and 47km from Geelong. The project comprises up to 107 wind turbines over two sections, the Bungeeltap Section towards the north of the project site (comprising 50 wind turbines) and the Ballark Section to the south (comprising 57 wind turbines.) The Moorabool Wind Farm project began in April 2007 when WestWind Energy was approached by landowners within the project area to consider the potential for a wind energy facility on their land. WestWind Energy undertook site investigations and determined that the site was suitable for a wind energy facility development. In October 2010 the Victorian Minister for Planning issued a permit, granting approval for the Moorabool Wind Farm. The permit allows for the installation of up to 107 turbines, and the Moorabool Wind Farm project was sold as a greenfield site in 2016 to Goldwind Australia. Goldwind has since installed 104 wind turbines with a generation capacity of approximately 350MW. Commissioning of the turbines is ongoing in 2021 and completion of development is envisaged for the end of 2021.
Golden Plains Wind Farm
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The Golden Plains Wind Farm project involves the establishment of a wind energy facility on 16,739 ha to the west, south and south west of Rokewood, a small rural town approximately 60 km north west of Geelong. In 2006, WestWind began monitoring the wind resource in this part of the Golden Plains Shire, and the Project has been through an extensive planning process over the past 5 years including the state’s highest level of environmental scrutiny, an EES (Environment Effects Statement). The Project has obtained state planning approval and received its planning permit from the Victorian Minister for Planning in December 2018. The approved development will consist of up to 228, 6 MW wind turbines, built in 2 stages. When completed, the project will generate over 4,000 GWh of electricity per annum, enough to power more than 765,000 homes and prevent more than 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted to the atmosphere each year. A significant investment in the local community will be made as part of this project, including energy audits and offsets, an annual community benefit fund, neighbour financial incentives, and a community investment program. WestWind Energy believes community ownership in renewable energy projects is a fantastic opportunity for the community, and can strengthen local communities, build community participation, and help educate people about renewable energy. It will also create training opportunities about wind energy and generate a way for the local community to secure a financial return from their neighbouring wind farm. The Project is expected to commence construction in the second half of 2022.
Warracknabeal Wind Farm
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The Warracknabeal Energy Park is located on approximately 20,000 hectares of farmland to the south-west and the northwest of the township of Warracknabeal. The development will consist of approximately 200 turbines with an installed capacity of approximately 1.3 GW. The project is expected to provide power for over 700,000 average Victorian homes annually. WestWind Energy began monitoring the wind resource in this area in early 2017 and although the project is in early development WestWind anticipates that it will lodge a planning permit application for this site within the next 18 months.
Projects - Germany
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The WestWind group currently has approximately 464MW of operational wind farms spread over 60 projects in Germany. The largest turbines in WestWind’s portfolio are 7 GE 5.3-158 “Cypress” turbines with a nameplate capacity of 5.3MW each, a hub height of 160m and a rotor diameter of 158m. As of July 2021, 1 wind farm with a total of 14 turbines and 56 MW is under construction and anticipated to be commissioned by the end of the year. On top of the operational projects and those in construction, the company currently has around 250MW across a number of projects in Germany in the advanced planning and permitting phase. Altogether the generation capacity in Westwind’s German projects is likely to increase from 464MW in July 2021 to around 700MW by the end of 2023. The German team is also securing further land and is working on the preparation of planning applications for projects with delivery dates beyond 2023.
Projects Under Development
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WestWind Energy has also identified and secured several other potential wind farm sites in Australia (Victoria and New South Wales). Development of these sites is continuing with the potential of WestWind Energy’s project pipeline of development projects in Australia exceeding well over 3GW of installed capacity by 2030. Internationally the WestWind group has a development pipeline of over 250MW in Germany, 500MW in Poland and 90MW in Austria.
Our Capabilities
WeWind_GPWF_ReturnableC EV2-1
Site Selection & Land Tenure
Regulatory Approvals
Detail Design
Grid Connection
Procurement & Finance
Construction
Operation & Maintenance
WestWind Energy provides fully comprehensive technical and commercial services.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES The key objective from the provision of construction management services by the Westwind Energy team is leveraging the knowledge and experience from the development phase into the construction phase. This also encompasses coordinating and facilitating compliance of contractors with contractual obligations, permit conditions, environmental regulations and community expectations. Ultimately this will materially reduce the risk of non-compliance with key contract terms, specifications and regulations and ensure predictable construction progress. Westwind Energy has been deeply involved in the negotiation of the EPC, O&M, grid connection, land lease and various other agreements for Golden Plains Wind Farm. Hence, WestWind Energy is very well placed to provide contract management, contractor supervision and reporting services. The company will also manage the registration process with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and obtain a generation licence from the Victorian Essential Services Commission (ESC). Over many years the Westwind Energy team has been building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, and this makes Westwind Energy the ideal party to also manage the Principal’s obligations under the landholder agreements. Due to Westwind Energy’s project knowledge and hands-on experience in the design, planning and permitting process (including the drafting of many plans relating to environmental management and planning compliance) the team is well placed to monitor compliance with statutory approvals and environmental management plans including all environmental offset requirements. With an experienced team of administrative and finance professionals supporting Westwind Energy’s project managers and engineers, the company is in an ideal position to also provide many other general administrative, book-keeping and accounting duties during the construction phase of the project.
OPERATIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT SERVICES WestWind Energy has developed a comprehensive suite of operational asset management services for its Australian projects to ensure the project owners can sleep easy, knowing that their project is in good hands. The services are broadly based on the WestWind group’s relevant experience overseas. With 12 dedicated staff members in asset management, the Germany based WestWind group currently undertakes
Technical asset management services for 182 wind turbines with a combined capacity of app. 435MW
Commercial management of 98 wind farm SPVs, 10 Solar SPVs and 8 grid connection SPVs (collector and switching stations)
Landholder contract management of an estimated 1,000 landholders in operating projects and app. 1,000 landholders in development projects
WestWind Energy recognises that Australia also has some very specific operational and regulatory requirements and these will be satisfied in a mix of Australia based inhouse service provision and outsourcing to appropriately qualified Australian specialist service providers. The operational asset management services can be broken down into the following categories:
O&M supervision & contract management
Asset Optimisation
24/7 operation of a control room (provided in concert with a specialist service provider such as Overwatch Energy)
Reporting
Compliance with Regulations, Contracts and Approvals
Accounting and Bookkeeping
PROJECT ENGINEERING C APABI LI T Y A wide range of expert engineering skills are necessary to support the development, construction and operation of wind farms. Throughout the past 17 years WestWind Energy has gained proven expertise that is necessary to support our wind farm business in Australia, including:
Engineering expertise during the development phase of a wind farm project,
Procurement of Grid Connections and Compliance with relevant rules and regulations,
Wind turbine technology and Balance of Plant design, both civil and electrical. Our engineers and project managers provide a common point of contact between WestWind Energy, specialist engineering consultants, wind turbine suppliers and contractors to prepare technical specifications and manage design interfaces.
Reliability Engineering. As an owner of wind farms, WestWind Energy knows that the preparation of detailed and practical specifications, combined with a thorough evaluation and selection of the turbine technology are key elements in managing lifecycle risks and cost.
Reliable access to a bespoke network of engineering specialists that support us with monitoring the performance and health of all equipment used on our wind farm sites and assist with any warranty claims or technical problems that inevitably occur over the life of projects.
With over 180 turbines already in the WestWind fleet, our asset managers are constantly improving data processing and analyses to make the best use of condition monitoring and preventative maintenance techniques and optimise the long term performance and value of the assets under our management.
STAKEHOLDER & HOST LANDHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
WestWind Energy recognises that wind farms are also social projects, and that establishing a social license to operate is a critical to the success of any wind energy development. Community engagement is fundamental to delivering positive and effective outcomes for wind projects, with project feasibility often depending on the communities’ level of acceptance. WestWind Energy uses solid community engagement practices, to ensure development of a wind energy facility that is mutually beneficial to all stakeholders. We appreciate that community engagement goes well beyond the requirements necessary under the planning permit and have adopted engagement strategies that enable the input of the community to identify local values and inform the decisions and activities of the project. WestWind Energy has a communication and stakeholder engagement team that has developed a robust Community Consultation Strategy. This strategy provides an outline of the objectives, tools, timing and the desired outcomes for the community consultation throughout the project lifecycle. It also includes complaint management, stakeholder research, public meetings, decision making and feedback loops, working with local groups and representatives, and providing occasions for community outreach. Our process is designed to ensure ongoing opportunities are provided to inform, consult, involve, collaborate, and empower stakeholders in the community. Our aspiration is to build the wind farm in partnership with the local community, and ensure we maintain a social license to operate through the full life cycle of the project.
CONTRACTS & PLANNING COMPLIANCE AND APPROVALS Pre-approval assessment
Land tenure investigations and analysis
Preparation of planning and environmental risk assessments and technical studies Planning and environmental approvals
Preparation and facilitation of key state and federal environmental and land use approvals
Planning and undertaking agency management and consultation
Legal counsel instruction and representation at Planning Panels and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Post Approval, Construction and Operation
Coordination of pre-construction and post-construction compliance with planning permit requirements, such as the preparation of Environment Management Plans, secondary consents plans and reports for compliance.
Identification and preparation of responses to project threats to approved and or operating wind projects
Management of power line planning, maintenance, route design and easement acquisition, including landholder and land agency negotiations and contract administration to secure easements across private and public land to connect wind projects to the national electricity grid
Coordination and preparation of amendments to planning and environmental approvals to increase wind turbine size, alter approved site design and/or to extend the permitted time to start construction and to complete the construction of wind energy projects
Reporting and compliance on contracts, statutory approvals and environmental management
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL EXPERTISE The WestWind Energy Group has significant commercial and finance experience in wind farm development, financing, construction and commercial operation as has been demonstrated in Germany. The WestWind Energy Group is financially sound and has commercially astute management. The business’ profitability is solid, contributing to the build-up of a substantial asset and income base over many years. The development of a renewable energy project requires many inputs. An important element is the commercial package required for the construction of new generation facilities. When required, WestWind Energy has the in-house skills and close links with specialist consultants, manufacturers, legal professionals, banks, finance houses and insurance brokers, to put together solid financing and project delivery arrangements for its projects. With our technical, engineering and environmental expertise WestWind Energy is able to bring extra value to all its projects. The WestWind in-house team of renewable energy experts is involved in all aspects of the lifecycle of our projects, as well as the day-to-day business of the company. Our legal and planning partners advise us on compliance with applicable laws and we work with local experts where appropriate. They are also responsible for preparing and negotiating a wide variety of commercial contracts relating to the development, construction and operation of renewable energy projects. Westwind Energy’s commercial team members and specialist advisers work with banks and financial institutions to secure short and long-term funding for wind and other renewable energy projects. They also negotiate with utilities and large electricity users on power purchase agreements and advise the company on alternative revenue management strategies.
MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE The WestWind Model is a product of The WestWind Energy Group’s extensive wind farm development and operational experience in a highly competitive European market blended with its Australian managements over 20 years of experience and thorough understanding of the Australian market. Due to the WestWind Energy Group’s realisation and operation of over 400MW of high-quality wind farm projects outside Australia, Westwind Energy’s Australian management is able to draw on extensive international experience to complement the significant local skills and knowledge of the company’s management and staff. At an operational level in Australia the company has a very strong focus on project management and a tailored management structure that drives effective project and risk management within the company. It encourages senior professional staff to perform well and take ownership of “their” projects and ultimately this structure achieves remarkable results. The Project Managers can clearly focus on the management of their individual projects, whilst the company provides the necessary commercial, technical, administrative and accounting support. Each of the Project Managers has expert skills in a professional field relevant to wind farm development and construction and the expertise is shared amongst all the projects as required. Importantly, WestWind Energy’s experienced management team is able to foster new talent and provide its staff with unique learning and training opportunities. This is very important in a wind energy market that has a shortage of experienced specialist project managers, developers, wind engineers, designers and engagement managers.
Our Team
Our Team We are proposing a team comprising of experienced engineers and commercial managers, complemented with team members with recent experience in the delivery of wind farm projects in Australia. Tobias Geiger and Marla Brauer lead the Golden Plains Wind Farm project from the beginning, providing the right mix of project management, procurement, operations, team management and wind energy experience. Tobias has over 20 years of experience in wind energy and Marla brings over 20 years of commercial, financial and team management experience to the project. They will lead the team from Gisborne up to the construction phase, where a handover to a dedicated project delivery team will take place. Marla and Tobias will continue their involvement in the project, overseeing the establishment of a new asset management team and providing their knowledge, experience and support at a Steering Committee level. They continue to be available to support the delivery team when needed. We anticipate having a team onsite during construction and operations with our senior site management representative being Simon Clifton. Simon will be based primarily onsite during construction and has been working on the GPWF from conception through development and into the pre-construction phase. Simon is currently the Project Delivery Manager for the Golden Plains Wind Farm. We can draw on the considerable strength and highly specialised capabilities throughout the WestWind Group as required, delivering the most appropriate application of skills and resources. WestWind Energy has a well-rounded capability with staff including renewable energy specialists, civil and aerospace engineers, and grid connection experts. The vast project background knowledge and broad spectrum of expertise within our project team puts WestWind Energy in a solid position to provide high value and comprehensive Construction and Asset Management services for the Golden Plains Wind Farm.
WestWind Energy Organisational Structure
TOBIAS GEIGER Managing Director
MARLA BRAUER Chief Operating Officer
SIMON CLIFTON
WARREN CRAM
Head of Project Development & Delivery
Manager – Finance & Accounting
TIM CLIFTON
KYLE SANDONA
RAFAEL ROCHA
DANIEL MAPLESON
Technical Manager
Development Manager
Project Manager (Grid)
Senior Project Manager
THOMAS DARKER Project Engineer
SUZANNE SYMON Business Manager
CHRISTINE LEE Project Coordinator
MATT HUSTWAITE
GEORGIA WENCEL
Community Engagement Manager
Administration Support Officer
GRACE CANNON Project Engineer
CARISSA CRABTREE Development Professional
WestWind Energy believes in building and creating a diverse team environment where employees are supportive of each other’s efforts, loyal to one another, and respect each other both personally and professionally. Our employees think big, have fun, and feel proud of the work they do.
Executive Leadership TOBIAS GEIGER – MANAGING DIRECTOR Tobi is WWE’s technical leader on wind energy technology as well as the commercial expert on the Australian renewable energy industry. He is responsible for business strategy and development, commercialization, and driving the strategic mission of the company. He is a degree qualified Aerospace Engineer, a Chartered Professional Engineer and Member of Engineers Australia, and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has over 20 years of industry specific experience. This includes R&D at the German Aerospace Centre, Project Management as a self-employed consultant and with every employer, Design and Manufacture of wind turbine components (wind turbine blades) and the development and commercialization of wind energy projects since 2004 for and with WWE.
MARLA BRAUER – CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Marla joined WWE in January 2016 and is responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the business and leads the development, finance, administration, and stakeholder engagement teams. This is a broad role involving contract negotiations, financial forecasting and reporting to the board as well as developing project plans and budgets. Marla is accountable for the company’s budget, HR, regulatory compliance and the day-to-day management of the business. Marla has a master’s degree in business administration from Regis University in Denver, Colorado and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company directors. Marla is a relationship-builder who has led teams to complete the Lal Lal Wind Farm and Moorabool Wind Farm planning permit amendments and managed the development of Golden Plains Wind Farm from greenfield site through approvals.
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Leadership Team SIMON CLIFTON – HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY As Head of Project Development & Delivery at WestWind Energy, Simon manages the development and delivery of Golden Plains Wind Farm and oversees the prospecting and delivery teams. Holding an Honours Degree in Civil Engineering from Federation University, Simon's daily work includes the management of the BoP contractors, identification of risk and resource requirements and working closely with the company’s executive management on the development of appropriate risk management strategies. Simon plays a key role in managing stakeholder relationships for the project. He also negotiates agreements with landowners and manages the relationship between WWE and landowners for the Golden Plains Wind Farm project. Simon manages the project grid, development, and design team for the project.
WARREN CRAM– HEAD OF FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING Warren is a qualified CPA, with a depth of experience in large renewables, engineering, manufacturing and IT organisations. Warren takes responsibility for the provision of the financial functions including budgeting, monthly financial reporting, annual financial reports, ATO requirements, payroll, cash flow, procurement, loan facilities and landholder payments.
SUZANNE SYMON – BUSINESS MANAGER With a Bachelor of Business Management from Swinburne University, and experience in executive support, HR, OHS and Operational Management in multinational businesses, Suzanne is responsible for the leadership of the company’s Community Engagement and Administrative teams, operational Human Resource Management, and provision of Executive Support to the Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director. She works closely with the Head of Finance and Compliance and Head of Development and Delivery to implement the Executive Management Growth plan for WWE and ensures the daily operations of the company support the achievement of the established goals.
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Our Team DANIEL MAPELSON – SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER Daniel’s 20 years of experience encompasses large infrastructure renewables and urban land development design, project management and construction. Daniel has comprehensive experience in the oversight of civil engineering works, utility and renewable infrastructure. He has in-depth knowledge of gas, fibre optic and electrical aspects of the built environment. Daniel’s construction management skills extend to task programming, work breakdown structures and detailed cost planning to enable successful delivery of project KPIs.
KYLE SANDONA – SENIOR PROJECT ENGINEER As WestWind’s Senior Project Manager, Kyle currently leads the project management of our large projects, including planning and environmental approvals. Kyle's day-to-day responsibilities include stakeholder management, contract and environmental compliance, landholder negotiations and managing consultants. Before entering the wind industry, Kyle was a land surveyor and holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of NSW and a Masters in Property Development from the University of Technology Sydney. Kyle previously worked for a turbine OEM, gaining experience in project delivery, construction processes, planning and environmental compliance prior to joining WWE in 2019.
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Our Team RAFAEL ROCHA – PROJECT MANAGER (GRID) Combining a Bachelor of Engineering, an MBA and a Masters in Energy Systems with work experience at the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), Rafael has the project management and process knowledge to lead our grid connection works. Rafael provides a critical link between the technical experts, OEMs, modellers, and the grid connection designers to ensure that WWE’s connection assets are designed to be cost efficient, safe, and compliant to reliably connect to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
TIM CLIFTON – TECHNICAL MANAGER Tim is responsible for the management of the internal GIS systems, wind resource monitoring equipment and wind data auditing. Tim's daily work includes overseeing map production, auditing GIS files, managing wind monitoring equipment, improving GIS workflows, liaising with landholders and consultants, and providing general support for active projects. Tim has been working in the wind industry for 3 years and holds a Bachelor of Engineering Science (Civil) and a Master of Engineering Technology (Civil) from Federation University.
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Our Team GRACE CANNON – PROJECT ENGINEER Starting her career in management consulting at WSP, Grace worked as a wind engineer consultant providing technical assessments for wind farms in development, as well as lenders and owners engineering support for wind farms in construction. Grace joined WestWind in 2021 and her role includes managing contractors, landholders and consultants on-site at Golden Plains Wind Farm and technical modelling of our new development sites. Grace holds a First Class Honours degree in Engineering (Sustainable Systems) from RMIT, has volunteered in Cambodia for Engineers without Borders and also has a diploma in Languages from Latrobe University.
TOM DARKER – PROJECT ENGINEER Joining us in 2021 as a Masters graduate, Thomas has a well-rounded background of agricultural exposure and manufacturing engineering experience. Thomas’s masters' studies included international renewable energy engineering, studying in Sweden and Spain. In his work as a project development and delivery Engineer at WestWind Energy, Thomas’ work includes site feasibility assessment, site management, detailed design of existing projects such as Golden Plains Wind Farm, and new site development.
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Our Team MATT HUSTWAITE – COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER We understand that securing a social license to develop and operate wind energy facilities is critical to project success, and effective community engagement is the foundation to this. With an MBA from Federation University, and experience in the public sector, Matt’s care for the wider community is demonstrated both in his role and his involvement in local community groups. Matt’s focus is centred around the local communities where we work and ensures that we actively engage with stakeholders in meaningful ways. Matt is responsible for stakeholder and community engagement, complaint management, event management, and stakeholder communications. He also plays a key role in supporting local projects and managing the community reference groups.
CARISSA CRABTREE – DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL Carissa joined us from Denver Colorado, where she completed a Bachelor of Psychology at Metropolitan State University. A skilled communicator, Carissa’s passions are supporting local communities, building positive and lasting landholder relationships, and early development of new projects. Carissa’s key focus areas include site identification, desktop studies, landholder engagement and development of new projects. Carissa is passionate about helping to deliver quality project strategies that add genuine value to the communities where we operate.
CHRISTINE LEE – PROJECT COORDINATOR Christine is our Project Coordinator, critical to the success of our Development and Delivery teams. With 5+ years experience in Operations Management and Human Resources including high level administration and executive support, Christine is responsible for coordinating project procurement, engagement with consultants and landholder communications and documentation. Christine holds a Diploma in Human Resource Management and has previously worked in the union movement and local government.
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Thank you for considering an opportunity with WestWind Energy.