Sinclair Knight Merz provided project management and engineering services for the design, development and construction of the $2.4 million Hampton Wind Park.

The Wind Park consists of two 660 kW Vestas V-47 wind turbines, each 74 metres in total height, and with rotors of 47 metres in diameter.

The Project, on a 500 hectare property at Hampton, was carried out for leading venture capital firm, CVC-REEF (Wind Corporation Australia) and the farm's owners, under the Hampton Wind Park Company, led by Hugh Litchfield.

The Wind Park generates around 1.32 Megawatts of electricity - enough to power 500 homes and, because it is from a renewable source, will reduce greenhouse gases by 3000 tonnes each year.

This is equivalent to taking about 660 cars off the road per year.

Hugh Litchfield's proposal for the Wind Park became a commercial reality following investment by CVC-REEF and the NSW Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA).

CVC REEF provided commercial and financial management services, as well as investment funds for the project.

All of the renewable electricity generated will be purchased by Integral Energy, and supplied into the local 11 kV rural network.

Sinclair Knight Merz Project Manager, Darren Frost, said the wind farm, the first private wind farm development in NSW, was a pilot project and, being a relatively small renewable energy development, was sensitive to development and capital costs.

"As such, we were very aware of the need to provide cost effective engineering and project management services to our client, while still ensuring the project's successful completion," Mr Frost said.

Sinclair Knight Merz was responsible for the overall project coordination and management from the design stage through to construction, commissioning and final commercial operation of the Plant.

Specific tasks included:

* preliminary electrical design for the installation and preparation of specification and tender documentation for the electrical equipment and installation works

* tender review and negotiations for the electrical equipment supply, electrical installation works, civil/structural and cranage contracts

* investigation of future study options, and preparation of application for Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) Renewable Energy Industry Development funding

* Grid Connection Agreement negotiations and technical review

* coordination, planning and management of the site construction works, contract administration, review of commissioning and QA documents, resolution of construction issues and liaison with the network provider for the physical grid connection

* liaison with local government, the project stakeholders and the local community.

Extensive planning and technical liaison was required with the turbine EPC contractor (Vestas) to ensure all construction requirements were satisfied and the erection sequence thoroughly coordinated.

"One of the benefits of the strong relationship with Vestas, and strong coordination with the other contractors, was a significant saving in site cranage costs due to the successful erection of both turbines in 16 hours, 36% less than budgeted," Mr Frost said.

Sinclair Knight Merz is a leading professional services consulting firm employing more than 3000 engineers, scientists, planners, economists and project managers in offices across Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, the Pacific and Europe.