Just south-west of Warwick in the picturesque Darling Downs region of QLD, a huge sustainability project is currently underway. With a total investment of AU$1.96 billion, the 1,026MW MacIntyre Wind Farm Precinct will become the biggest wind farm in Australia, one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world, and a crucial part of the Queensland Government’s decarbonisation strategy.
Located on sheep farming country, the wide plains of the region lend themselves perfectly to wind farming, with exposure to consistent winds and a climate that is suitably temperate. Designed by icubed, and engineered and constructed by ACCIONA, the project will have sustainability benefits not just at home in Australia, but as a valuable contributor to energy exports across the region.
ACCIONA contacted specialty chemicals company, Sika, for assistance with the grouting that would be required to attach the flanges for the wind turbines to the foundations on the ground. With a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protecting, Sika was perfectly placed to provide the ideal grout as transition material. Sika’s grouting mortars are designed for consistent production and workability under difficult conditions, enabling them to meet all the requirements for this type of application. And with 180 turbines of up to 230 metres high - it’s a good thing!
In addition to the project itself being a strong contributor to renewable energy and sustainability at a mass scale, the project aligns with Sika’s internal sustainability values. Sika recognises that sustainability is about more than the environment, and factors in economic and social aspects too.
That’s why more than a decade ago, the company began the work of aligning its sustainability strategy with a broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework. In addition to offering sustainable products, Sika remains laser-focused on aligning their operations and strategies with the universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption established by the United Nations Global Compact Initiative.
A project such as the MacIntyre wind farm brings clear-cut environmental benefits through virtue of its function as a renewable energy source. But it’s important to also focus on the sustainable elements and construction materials - and the innovative companies behind them - that enable a project like this to exist. With a steadfast commitment to sustainability goals across their business and all corners of ESG, Sika is undoubtedly a positive contributor to a greener future both in Warwick, QLD, and across the country.
