The largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere has begun feeding into Victoria’s electricity grid, powering Victorian homes and businesses with cheap and reliable renewable energy.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio today announced the powering up of the Golden Plains Wind Farm at Rokewood, which will be able to power 765,000 homes – or every home in regional Victoria – when fully operational.
Once complete, the 1.3 gigawatt (GW) wind farm will produce more than 4,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy each year and meet 9 per cent of Victoria’s current energy demand.
This will be supported by a 300 megawatt (MW) battery on site, that will soak up any excess energy and export it back to the grid when it is needed most.
The Golden Plains Wind Farm created about 700 jobs during construction and will generate up to 70 full time ongoing jobs.
Since 2014, the Labor Government has more than quadrupled the amount of power generated by wind farms and the share of electricity generated by renewables has increased from less than 10 percent to 39 percent last year.
Because of our record investments in renewable energy, Victoria has consistently had the lowest wholesale energy prices in the national market.
Victoria has met every renewable energy and climate change target set to date and is on track to hit 40 per cent renewables by 2025, and 95 percent by 2035.
Meeting Victoria’s renewable energy generation and energy storage targets will deliver $9.5 billion in economic activity and 59,000 jobs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio
'The Golden Plains Wind Farm will be able to power every regional Victorian home – delivering lower bills for Victorian families.'
'Victoria is the clean energy investment capital of Australia, and this project is another example of how Victoria’s ambitious renewable energy policies are creating jobs and driving the renewables sector.'
Quote attributable to Member for Eureka Michaela Settle
'Golden Plains will host Australia's largest wind farm and we welcome the jobs and renewable energy it provides for the local community and beyond.'
Source: Victoria State Government
