Massive clean energy project under way

ONE OF Australia’s largest-ever renewable energy projects has started construction near Geelong.

The Golden Plains wind farm, surrounding Rokewood and about 60 kilometres north-east of Geelong, will comprise 215 wind turbines across close to 17,000 hectares and be the country’s largest wind farm.

The 1,300MW clean energy project is set to generate nine per cent of Victoria’s total electricity demand once complete. The state government says this is enough to power more than 765,000 homes, or the equivalent of every home in regional Victoria.

The site will also include a 300MW battery storage facility in a step towards meeting the state’s long-term energy storage targets.

The government has established a community reference group to oversee community engagement on the process and a grants program for non-profit community organisations.

Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio turned the first sod on the $2 billion project last week.

“Victoria’s 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,” she said.

“Golden Plains wind farm is creating hundreds of local jobs and once complete is capable of generating nine per cent of Victoria’s total electricity demand.”