TagEnergy kicks off construction on Australia’s largest wind farm

GeelongPort will partner with a clean energy giant to bring Australia’s largest wind farm to life.

GeelongPort will partner with a clean energy giant to bring Australia’s largest wind farm to life.

The port announced on Friday it would provide critical infrastructure for 122 Vestas wind turbines at the 756MW renewable energy development in Rokewood.

Developers, contractors and community leaders gathered to launch the $2bn Golden Plains Wind Farm earlier this week.

GeelongPort chief executive Brett Winter said the port expected to receive the first shipment in September 2023.

“GeelongPort has a longstanding relationship with Vestas and we look forward to partnering with them again on this nation-building project,” he said.

“Through this project, we look forward to continuing to deliver environmental and economic benefits to the southwest region of Victoria as well as supporting the Victorian Government’s transition to renewable energy.”

The port has facilitated the berthing and laydown of more than two million tonnes of wind farm equipment since 2018, including components for Vestas wind farms in Tomboon West, Elaine, Yendon and Yawong.

Inside work on Australia’s largest wind farm

Work has kicked off on Australia’s largest wind farm, with developers revealing when turbines are expected to arrive on shore.

Community leaders, politicians and key stakeholders gathered at the site of the Golden Plains Windfarm at Rokewood on Tuesday.

The $2bn wind farm will be made up for 122 turbines and is expected to produce hundreds of jobs during its construction and operation phases.

TagEnergy, the sole investor in the first stage of the project, has revealed the farm is expected to produce green energy in the first quarter of 2025.

Work has started on turbine foundations, transmission line access tracks and two substations to connect the project to the grid.

TagEnerg’s managing partner for Australia, Andrew Riggs, said the first turbines were expected to land in Geelong around September this year.

“It’s the largest permitted wind farm in Australia,” he said.

“We’ll start construction of the second stage next year, contributing eight per cent of Victoria’s electricity.”

Lily D'Ambrosio and Andrew Riggs at the site.

After the completion of its first two stages, the wind farm will provide enough sustainable energy to power more than 750,000 homes.

“Geelong is the predominant port that’ll be used for the project,” Mr Riggs said.

“There’s been work put together already for laydown areas to be leased and upgraded to accommodate this large-scale project.”

The company behind the project – Tag Energy – was formed in 2019.

Its first renewable energy project, an energy park battery storage facility in the United Kingdom, went live last year.

It also announced a slew of community projects funded by the company and its contractors.

The raft of improvements included two new pedestrian refuge crossings at Teesdale and Rokewood primary schools as well as upgrades to Two Bridges Main Street and Rokewood’s main street.

Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio described the local opportunities as a “job bonanza”.

“There’ll be hundreds of jobs every single day during that construction period,” she said.

“But then, of course, you need to also consider all the supply chain support, when you’ve got projects that are this big.”

The project marks the latest in a long line of renewable projects throughout the region.

GeelongPort last year announced plans for a 25ha wind farm hub at Lascalles Wharf, which would provide facilities for the laydown, berthing and construction for both offshore and onshore wind farms.

“GeelongPort is committed to supporting the establishment and growth of this emerging industry,” chief executive officer Brett Winter said at the time.

“The strategic location of our port means that we can play a key leadership role in the transition towards renewable energy sources.”

Originally published as TagEnergy kicks off construction on Australia’s largest wind farm