Statement - Safety is paramount to TagEnergy, owner of The Pines Wind Farm

We have been advised by Vestas, our Engineering, Procurement and Construction contractor at the Golden Plains Wind Farm in Victoria, that a supplier has provided internal service lifts with enclosed emergency brake pads that contain trace amounts of asbestos. This does not comply to the specifications outlined in Vestas’ supplier agreement.

These lifts are located inside turbine towers and are used by technicians to access the top of turbines for maintenance activities.

Vestas is working closely with the supplier, regulators, and partners to identify, contain, and remove the affected brake pads, and to implement suitable replacements.

The brake pads are housed within sealed units specifically designed to contain brake dust. This design has effectively mitigated the unintended presence of asbestos in the brake materials. Independent hygienists have conducted air quality and surface testing, which confirmed no detection of uncontained asbestos in any affected turbines.

Regulators have been fully briefed and have expressed confidence in the swift and thorough response undertaken by Vestas to safeguard the health, safety, and wellbeing of all personnel and the broader community.