Prince in luck

Warrnambool Standard
Thursday 23/8/2007 Page: 5

DEMAND for bigger blades and wind turbines was a threat to Vestas' small-scale Portland operation, according to Keppel Prince's general manager. The Danish firm's focus on relatively small blades which were built to fit its own smaller turbines had slashed its market share, while Keppel Prince, which supplies a number of parts to fit various turbines, was surging ahead, its general manager Stephen Garner said.

"Their (Vestas) blades are made specifically for a Vestas turbine which has been somewhat superseded and Vestas are not wanting to put any more cash into that facility for another mould," said Mr Garner, who now employs 460 staff and plans to expand. He criticised the Federal Government but said the Brumby Government was doing a "great job" on renewable energy. "Our (federal) government needs to get off its arse and revise its MRET (Mandatory Renewable Energy Target)... that's the thing that drives this industry."