Tasmania’s deputy premier, Lara Giddings MP, recently launched construction at the site of Alstom Australia’s new engineering workshop in Cambridge. The workshop will become a world-class hydro energy plant and enhance services to other key industrial customers.
More than 50 people are being employed by local Tasmanian company Derwent Park Developments to build the $11 million Cambridge facility in the growing industrial area. In addition, many local sub-contractors and suppliers are involved in the project, which should be completed by April 2011.
Giddings said the investment at the Cambridge facility was a strong sign of confidence in the Tasmanian economy. “As a world leader in renewable energy technologies and smart grids, Alstom is demonstrating its support and commitment to Tasmania by investing in this world-class facility. This investment complements the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to positioning itself as an Australian and international leader in the renewable energy sector – a key focus in the Government’s recently-released Innovation Strategy,” noted Giddings.
The new Cambridge facility will initially employ around 70 people who will transfer from the current Alstom engineering workshop located in Moonah. It is expected that the number of employees will increase to more than 100 by 2013.
“This long term investment in the state-of-the-art Cambridge facility is a demonstration of our faith in the Tasmania energy sector, and the ability of our truly talented Tasmanian team,” explained Chris Raine, Alstom Australia and New Zealand President.
Alstom took over the Moonah facility from Hydro Tasmania in 1994. The new workshop will have a much greater capacity, flexible workspace and larger capacity crane systems. “Alstom believes that Tasmania is leading the way for renewable energy in Australia. The Cambridge workshop’s main focus will be to manufacture and maintain electricity generation equipment for the hydro power industry. However, the workshop has also been designed to service other key industries including mining and metal processing; ship building; oil and gas; woodchip, pulp and paper manufacturing; and rail transport,” Raine said.
Once completed, the Cambridge workshop will provide 24-hour customer support, comprehensive reliability and engineering services with International Standard Organisation (ISO) certified quality assurance, and occupational, health and safety systems.
“The Cambridge workshop will allow ALSTOM to continue it’s relationship with the State of Tasmania, and will establish a modern, flexible environment to meet the business needs moving forward and provide a facility that is customer ready at all times, while being a source of pride for all our employees.
From this world class facility we will help Tasmania to maintain its role as a leading player in the renewable energy industry as we work with our key customers,” Raine said.