Turbines charge Vic. system
The largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere, located in Victoria, has started supplying electricity to the state’s power grid.
The state government says the Golden Plains Wind Farm, situated at Rokewood, is now delivering energy to Victorian homes and businesses.
When fully operational, the wind farm will generate enough energy to power 765,000 homes, which is equivalent to covering the energy needs of every household in regional Victoria.
The project boasts a capacity of 1.3 gigawatts (GW), with the ability to produce over 4,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy annually.
This accounts for around 9 per cent of Victoria's current energy demand.
A 300-megawatt (MW) battery will be installed on-site, ensuring the storage of surplus energy and enabling the return of power to the grid during peak demand periods.
The development of the Golden Plains Wind Farm created approximately 700 jobs during its construction phase. Once fully operational, it is expected to provide around 70 full-time positions.
The project aligns with Victoria's renewable energy targets, which aim to achieve 40 per cent renewables by 2025 and 95 per cent by 2035.
The economic impact of Victoria’s renewable energy expansion is projected to be substantial.
The state government estimates that reaching its energy generation and storage targets could generate $9.5 billion in economic activity, along with 59,000 jobs.