A mechanical fitter and machinist, Ivor started his mechanical apprenticeship with Stanwell in 2019. With most of his work centering around general maintenance of pumps, conveyers and mills on Stanwell’s thermal power stations.

“I enjoyed the process of working on the coal-fired power stations,” he says, “but I was also keen to get some hands-on experience with clean energy. That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to join Stanwell’s Development Pathways Program.”

Established in 2023, the program aims to equip Queensland energy workers with the skills needed to operate and maintain renewable and dispatchable assets across Queensland.

“I saw it as a way to get a taste of the renewable energy industry,” said Ivor. “After all, most of Queensland’s energy will come from renewables by 2035. It won’t be long until renewable energy is just… energy.”

Building on Stanwell’s hard-earned reputation as one of the safest, most reliable and efficient operators in the energy market, SAMCo is seeking to become Queensland’s most reliable maintenance service provider across all forms of renewable energy.

To that end, Ivor has been deployed on several wind projects nationwide, alongside four other mechanics and two electricians, in order to gain valuable experience with renewables. Their roles have encompassed a variety of tasks, from inspecting and troubleshooting to repairing wind turbines.

“A typical day for me with SAMCo kicks off early,” Ivor says. “We prepare our tools, head out to the site, and we don’t stop for the whole day until we’re done.

“One of my main tasks at the moment is completing gearbox retrofits on wind turbines, which is a pretty comprehensive process,” he says.

The task involves assembling and disassembling various components, such as guards, couplings, brakes, slip rings, oil hoses, gearbox lube pumps, and more.

“We’ve got to clean every single part and make sure the bearings in the rear gearbox are just right by adding or removing shims. Then it’s a matter of fitting everything back in place, making sure it’s all sealed up tight.”

While the mechanical skills he developed on Stanwell’s thermal power stations have carried over seamlessly to working on renewables, Ivor says the physically demanding nature of working on wind turbine towers has taken some adjustment.

“Working at heights and within a wind turbine nacelle takes a special kind of person,” he says. “What might seem like an easy task on the ground can turn out to be a major feat in the sky.”

For instance, Ivor cites the challenge of getting tools from the ground to the nacelle of a wind turbine, where the gearbox is located, almost 100 meters up in the air.

“Getting 200 kilograms of tools to the top of a wind turbine is quite the process,” he says. “Most of the tools are packed in boxes, with spare parts stashed in a lifting bag. The bulkier tools and mechanical gear are carried separately up the stairs to the DTA (Down Tower Assembly), which is the platform located inside the base section of the turbine.

“Once we’re up there, we set up a hauling system on the lift deck to the DTA, which is about six meters off the DTA floor. With everything secured, we then take the lift to the deck and unload the tools. Finally, the tools are passed up into the nacelle, ready for the job ahead.

“That’s if you have a lift – some don’t!”

Despite the challenges, Ivor says the best part about taking part in the Development Pathways Program has been the opportunity to get hands-on with renewable projects around Australia.

“As a boy from Yeppoon, I love the travel aspect,” he says. “I’ve been to different sites all around the country, from South Australia to New South Wales and Victoria. As a young tradesman, I’ve really enjoyed meeting people with all different backgrounds and experiences. It’s been a real eye-opener.

“Every team we encounter is different, so even though we have our own crew that travels from one location to the next, each new project is a completely different experience. I appreciate that even though I’m still working within the energy sector, I get to have the experience of working in a different industry.

“Best of all, I’m now positioned for a long-term career in the renewables industry.”