Two brand new wind farms, including one of the largest in Victoria, are now online and generating enough affordable, reliable renewable energy to power the equivalent of 208,000 homes across Victoria.
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action Sheena Watt today opened Global Power Generation Australia’s Ryan Corner Wind Farm and Hawkesdale Wind Farms, located north of Port Fairy in southwest Victoria’s Moyne Shire.
Ryans Corner Wind Farm is one of the largest wind farms in the state with 52 turbines producing 218 megawatts (MW) – enough to power 140,000 homes.
Hawkesdale Wind Farm has 23 turbines which can produce 97MWs of electricity, enough to power 67,000 homes.
The Allan Labor Government has met every climate target it has set to date and is on track to reach its next target of 40 percent renewable energy generation by 2025.
In October, renewables met 49 percent of the state’s total monthly electricity generation – wind energy provided about 23 percent of Victoria’s monthly electricity generation.
Since 2014, the amount of renewable electricity generated by wind farms in Victoria has more than quadrupled. This increase in renewable energy generation has meant that Victoria consistently has the lowest wholesale power prices in the country, ensuring that the state has been better insulated against global energy price rises.
Meeting Victoria’s renewable energy targets will deliver $9.5 billion in economic activity and 59,000 jobs – many of the ongoing benefits will be in regional Victoria, including new jobs and local business growth.
Developer of both wind farms - Global Power Generation – has also created a Community Engagement and Benefit Sharing Plan for each project to ensure the community stays informed about project updates and receives positives benefits from the project.
Quote attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio
'With more than 4.7 gigawatts of wind energy operating across 42 projects, and a further nine either under construction or approved for construction, we have created the foundations that secures Victoria’s energy future.'
Quote attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action Sheena Watt
'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.'
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora
'The renewable energy transition is bringing with it the jobs of the future that will support our local communities, these wind farms have supported local jobs in the Moyne Shire while providing reliable and affordable energy.'
Source: Victoria State Government
