Australia has commissioned the first turbines at the Golden Plains wind farm near Geelong in Victoria state. Led by TagEnergy, the mega-project is now the largest onshore wind farm in the southern hemisphere and its initial 756 MW phase is already generating electricity.
Golden Plains: a large-scale wind project
The $4 billion project aims to provide 9% of Victoria’s energy demand, equivalent to powering 765,000 homes. After 20 months of intensive construction, involving more than 400 workers in areas such as civil works, electrical works and turbine assembly , the park has already begun sending its first clean electricity into the region’s grid.
Engineering and construction partner Vestas has supplied 215 state-of-the-art wind turbines , each with 79-metre-long blades and 149-metre-high towers. According to Franck Woitiez, CEO of TagEnergy, this is a key milestone in efforts to accelerate Australia’s energy transition .
The electricity generated by the park will improve the region’s energy security, help reduce carbon emissions and lower electricity bills.
Woitiez stressed that the success of Golden Plains is the result of the trust placed by lenders and governments in TagEnergy’s ability to carry out large-scale projects.
“We have proven that our innovative business approach enables us to bring these types of projects to fruition quickly.”
he stated.
IKEA’s participation
The second phase of the project, which will add a further 577 MW to the installed capacity, started construction in June 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2027. At this stage, Ingka Investments, the investment arm of the Ingka Group (owner of IKEA), has increased its stake, acquiring an additional 15% of the wind farm . This investment underlines Ingka’s commitment to sustainable energy and reducing its carbon footprint in the countries where IKEA has operations.
Construction of the Golden Plains wind farm. Source: TagEnergy
For Mirja Viinanen, CEO of IKEA Australia, investment in clean energy is crucial to meeting the company’s sustainability goals.
“This wind farm is an essential part of our global commitment to renewable energy.”
he highlighted.
The importance of the Golden Plains wind farm for Australia
The Golden Plains wind farm has become an iconic example of Australia’s potential to become a leader in renewable energy. With its ability to supply thousands of homes with clean electricity , this initiative strengthens the country’s position in the fight against climate change and reducing emissions.
With the first phase now operational and the second phase underway, TagEnergy, together with its partners Ingka Investments and Vestas, are leading the way towards a more sustainable future for Victoria and all of Australia.
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Source: TagEnergy
Photo: shutterstock
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