Giant Australian wind farm gets the go ahead

Construction on Australia’s biggest wind farm could start next year after Victoria’s planning minister gave the go-ahead to the 800MW Golden Plains (Australia) Golden Plains (Australia) (800MW) OnshoreRokewood, Victoria, Australia, Asia-Pacific Click to see full details project, located on a 167km2 site at Rokewood, 130km west of Melbourne.

Under revised plans submitted earlier this year, project developer WestWind Energy aims to install 215 wind turbines, down from the original 228 units granted permission in 2018 — with a tip height of 230 metres. The wind farm’s layout is still being finalised. The developer aims to start construction in mid-2022. MPC Kinetic will deliver the civil balance of plant, including roads and foundations, while Consolidated Power Projects will deliver the electrical balance of plant.

Once completed, the project will have almost twice the capacity of Australia’s current biggest wind farm, the 453MW Coopers Gap Coopers Gap (453MW) OnshoreCooranga, Queensland, Australia, Asia-Pacific Click to see full details.

Golden Plains received conditional approval in 2018, with a request by Victoria’s planning minister to reduce the number of turbines to 181 over concerns for the habitat of a native wetland bird, the brolga.

The developer has faced repeated court challenges, led by local farmer Hamish Cumming, but they were finally rejected by Australia’s Court of Appeal last November. 

Cumming’s lawyers may yet challenge the decision over the number of turbines. Planning minister Richard Wynne, however, said the new plan was compliant with relevant planning policy and legislation.

WestWind will give annual payments to local residents, starting at A$1,000 ($715) per turbine.

Australia has one of the best wind resources in the world and most states or territories have renewable energy deployment targets of at least 50% by 2030.

In September, the Australian government introduced legislation that could pave the way for offshore wind farm development.