Work to start on Rokewood’s controversial mega wind farm

Jobs bonanza slated for Rokewood as date for construction of $2bn windfarm is revealed.

Construction of Victoria’s biggest wind farm which could power about 750,000 homes is set to begin in early 2023. Picture: Supplied

Work to build the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere, just 70km from Geelong, is due to start early next year.

The controversial $2bn Golden Plains wind farm, due to be built at Rokewood, will include 122 turbines, is expected to produce about 1300 mega watts of power and could create up to 400 jobs.

Clean energy enterprise TagEnergy is the sole investor in the first stage of the project which is expected to start producing green energy in the first quarter of 2025.

The wind farm has potential to provide enough electricity to meet approximately 9 per cent of Victoria’s total electricity demand, power approximately 750,000 homes, and abate more than 4.2m tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.

Golden Plains wind farm site personnel

TagEnergy announced on Wednesday it had entered an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract with global turbine supplier Vestas, appointed AusNet Services to undertake the grid connection works on a build, own and operate model, and entered a grid connection agreement with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).

TagEnergy chief executive officer Frank Woitiez said the project would bring long term benefits to Australia such as reducing emissions and economic opportunities.

“(It) reflects a fast-maturing industry embracing inventive approaches helping speed both project timelines and the transition to clean energy,” he said.

Vestas Australia and New Zealand senior vice president and country head Danny Nielsen said the project demonstrated the economic and social benefits of renewable energy with more than 400 jobs created during the construction phase.

“The 756 megawatts generated by this wind farm will be an outstanding contribution to Australia’s clean energy targets and overall transition,” he said.

WestWind Energy managing director Tobias Geiger said the project had reached a “landmark moment” following 15 years of development, extensive planning and consultation

“We look forward to not only helping deliver clean energy to the people of Victoria but

continuing to ensure the local community shares in the project benefits too,” Mr Geiger

said.

Hamish Cumming fought the wind farm proposal. Picture : David Geraghty / The Australian.

Mr Geiger said an early works agreement with Vestas has already enabled the finalisation of detailed design work, procurement of critical infrastructure, and additional road upgrades in the district to support construction of the wind farm and improve travel for the local

community.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said wind farm was a positive sign for future renewable energy investments.

“The Albanese Government is committed to transforming Australia into a renewable energy superpower and this project is one part of making that goal a reality,” Minister Bowen said.

“Regional Australia can and should benefit from economic opportunities in new energy industries. The Albanese Government is making sure that happens.”

The project had been the subject of an extensive legal battle, with mechanical engineer Hamish Cumming fighting the plans for more than three years.

In January, he was in the Supreme Court fighting the government on its decision to change the project’s permit conditions.

But, in July the Geelong Advertiser reported the state government outmanoeuvred him when the planning minister changed local planning law so the wind farm could proceed without a permit.

Originally published as Work to start on Rokewood’s controversial mega wind farm