Two new wind farms have gone online in Victoria, capable of generating enough energy to power the equivalent of 207,000 homes across the state.
Located north of Port Fairy, in southwest Victoria’s Moyne Shire, Ryan Corner Wind Farm is one of the largest in the state with 52 turbines able to produce 218 megawatts of electricity, capable of powering 140,000 homes.
Nearby Hawkesdale Wind Farm situated alongside the Great Ocean Road has 23 turbines and can produce 97MWs – capable of powering 67,000 homes.
Operated by Global Power Generation, the sites were officially opened Monday by Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action Sheena Watt, who said: “Ryan Corner Wind Farm and Hawkesdale Wind Farm will strengthen our grid with more reliable, renewable and affordable energy while helping us to take the critical action necessary to limit climate change.”
The Victorian government forecasts its renewable energy program will deliver $9.5 billion in economic activity and produce 59,000 jobs, many benefiting the regional areas of the state such as Moyne Shire. “The renewable energy transition is bringing with it the jobs of the future that will support our local communities,” said member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora.
Meanwhile, the Victorian government has also announced this week it is inviting companies to bid to build the transmission necessary to connect Australia’s first offshore wind farm to the grid.
Located 10–33 kilometres off the coast between Paradise Beach and Ocean Grange in Gippsland, the wind farm will feature 140 turbines – creating enough electricity to power over one million homes and businesses.
Through an expression of interest process, government agency VicGrid is looking for a development and construction partner to help it design, build, finance, operate and maintain the onshore transmission structure.
“Industry has a crucial role to play in the energy transition and we are looking for a transmission partner that shares our commitment to deliver the best outcomes for local communities in Gippsland,” said Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio.
Infrastructure construction is slated for late 2027.
In a decade, the amount of renewable electricity generated by wind farms in Victoria has more than quadrupled, leading the state to boast the lowest wholesale power prices in the country.
In October 2023, renewables met 49% of Victoria’s monthly electricity generation – with wind power providing 23% of that total.
Leave a Reply