These efforts are joined by another strategic focus of Australian wind development located in Gippsland, which has a generation potential of up to 25 GW and is already home to some of the country's most significant projects.
The New Zealand government aims to achieve a 100% renewable electricity system by 2035, which is accelerating the consenting processes for large-scale wind farms.
Sarens is established as a key partner to ensure that wind developments are executed within the planned timeframes, drawing on experience from various projects in the region, such as the Sapphire Wind Farm in New South Wales.
According to the draft 2026 Integrated System Plan (ISP) from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the total installed wind capacity in the country, combining onshore and offshore projects, will reach 26GW by 2030. Although this figure is lower than the 42GW previously forecast due to rising construction costs, it still represents a significant expansion compared to current levels. In parallel, the Victorian government plans to launch its first competitive auction for 2 GW of offshore wind energy in August 2026, marking a key step towards the sector's deployment. These efforts are joined by another strategic focus of Australian wind development in Gippsland, which has a generation potential of up to 25 GW and already hosts some of the country's most relevant projects, such as Star of the South and Gippsland 1.
This momentum occurs alongside the strengthening of the market in New Zealand, where forecasts indicate the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1% until 2032, reaching an estimated value of $38.53 billion this 2026. This growth is closely linked to the New Zealand government's goal of achieving a 100% renewable electricity system by 2035, which is speeding up the approval processes for large-scale wind farms. However, this rapid deployment also poses operational challenges; various sector reports (RACE for 2030) warn that the peak construction of wind farms and transmission infrastructure will occur around 2030, generating unprecedented demand for high-capacity cranes capable of handling next-generation turbine components.
Given this growth context, the role of specialised partners like Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, special transport, and crane rental services, is becoming increasingly relevant to ensure wind developments are completed on schedule. Constructing modern wind farms involves handling and installing increasingly large and heavy components, such as latest-generation towers, nacelles, and blades, which require advanced lifting, transport, and engineering solutions. In this scenario, companies with international experience in complex energy projects like Sarens become strategic allies to support developers, contractors, and operators throughout all construction phases.
Having specialised partners like Sarens will be vital to accompany the sector's growth and contribute to the development of the energy infrastructure needed to advance the region's decarbonisation goals. In this regard, Sarens has a solid track record in executing wind projects in Oceania, particularly in Australia, where it operates through Sarens Australia with offices in Brisbane and Perth. One of its most significant milestones in the region was its participation in the Sapphire Wind Farm in New South Wales, where the company successfully installed the tallest wind turbine towers in Australia up until 2019. The project included the installation of 75 Vestas V126-3.6 MW turbines, for which Sarens used its specialised LG1750 SX crane, specifically selected for its ability to operate at a hub height of 137 metres in remote terrain and under complex weather conditions.
Sarens also played a key role in other major developments such as the Hornsdale Wind Farm in South Australia. For this project, the company carried out the installation of 67 turbines, achieving remarkable operational efficiency with a rate of up to five turbines installed per week, using shifts where the main lifts were performed during the day and crane repositioning took place at night. Additionally, Sarens participated in the Collgar Wind Farm near Merredin in Western Australia, which at the time was its largest project in the country, involving the installation of 111 Vestas V90 turbines. Assembly was carried out in stages using LR1350 and SCX 2800 cranes for the base and middle sections of the towers, while a CC 2800 handled the final assembly of the nacelle and hub, performing a 93-tonne lift at a height of 80 metres.
According to Willem Jobse, Regional Director Sarens Oceania, “wind energy development in Oceania is entering a decisive phase, with increasingly ambitious projects both onshore and offshore. At Sarens, we have seen first-hand how the scale and complexity of these installations demand highly specialised lifting and transport solutions. Our experience on windfarms demonstrates that having the right equipment and highly qualified teams is key to meeting construction deadlines and ensuring site safety. As Australia and New Zealand move towards their renewable generation targets, we believe that companies with experience in heavy logistics and large component assembly will play an increasingly important role in making these developments a reality.”
Sarens has an extensive track record both nationally and internationally within the energy sector, establishing itself as a key partner in projects of great technical complexity. The company has already contributed to major international milestones such as the construction of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm in French Brittany, upgrade works at the Rattlesnake Ridge wind farm in Canada, and the unloading of 64 wind turbines at Asipona in the port of Baja California Norte, Mexico. These projects reflect Sarens' ability to operate in any environment, manage highly complex operations, and provide specialised solutions that position it as a strategic player for the development and modernisation of energy infrastructure.
About Sarens
Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 5,000 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors. https://www.sarens.com/