The Victorian government has granted final state-level approval for the Warracknabeal Energy Park, a 219-turbine wind farm proposed for the Wimmera region, the Premier said in a statement. The project now requires federal environmental approval before it can proceed.
Developer WestWind Energy says the project would power around 1.2 million homes. At more than 1.5 gigawatts of capacity, the government describes it as the southern hemisphere's largest wind farm. The project carries more than $5 billion in anticipated investment and includes two battery energy storage systems, each rated at 300 megawatts.
Construction is expected to support close to 950 jobs, with WestWind having previously indicated 35 ongoing operational roles would be created. The Victorian government said the project would contribute around 12.5% of the state's future energy needs. WestWind says the park would cut carbon emissions by more than 4.2 million tonnes each year.
A National Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson confirmed the federal decision is on hold while the developer responds to a request for additional information from assessors. The state environmental assessment was signed off five months before the current planning approval. The state approvals were completed ahead of the Victorian government entering caretaker mode before the November state election.
Once operational, the park's Community Benefit Fund is projected to deliver more than $12 million across the life of the project. The project's connection to the grid depends in part on transmission infrastructure, including the VNI West and Western Renewable Link lines, which have not yet been built.
Official statements: Premier
Reporting: ABC News, Business News Australia, RenewEconomy
Written by Pick & Scroll News from the reporting and documents linked above.
