The 1,333MW Golden Plains Wind Farm, comprising the 756MW Stage 1 and 577MW Stage 2, will deliver 9% of Victoria's energy when completed in mid-2027.
With finance and all agreements now in place, construction of Stage 2's 93 wind turbine generators will begin, with TagEnergy buoyed by the supportive policy environment created by the Australian Government's Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS).
Extending its initial project partnerships into the next phase, TagEnergy has entered into a new Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract with global turbine supplier Vestas, appointed AusNet Services to undertake the grid connection works and WestWind Energy as the asset manager.
"We couldn't be prouder to be delivering the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere," said TagEnergy's Managing Partner – Australia, Andrew Riggs.
"This mega-project materially improves Victoria's energy security, puts downward pressure on electricity costs and dramatically reduces carbon pollution. Together with our partners, we are accelerating the energy transition," Riggs said.
TagEnergy's decision to commence construction of Stage 2 reflects the new supportive policy landscape enabled by the government's CIS scheme encouraging investment in renewable energy generation.
"The supportive policy landscape created by the CIS has given us confidence to start construction of Golden Plains Stage 2 now," he said.
"Commencing construction will maximize project delivery certainty and strengthen the competitiveness of our bid in the upcoming CIS auction. Our Stage 1 construction progress has been excellent and demonstrates our ability to deliver. These site teams, who will also construct Stage 2, really share our vision for a clean energy future," Riggs said.
"The diligence and expertise of the grid connection teams at Vestas and AEMO Victoria who leveraged best practices developed during the adjacent 756MW Golden Plains Wind Farm Stage 1 connection process reduced the assessment period from nine months to five months," Riggs said.
Project partners welcomed financial close and fast tracking of construction on the vital project for Australia's renewable energy future.
Vestas Senior Vice President, Country Head of Australia & New Zealand, Danny Nielsen, said, "Through our best-in-class wind turbines and capabilities, Vestas is delighted to build and service this landmark project,"
Golden Plains Wind Farm Stage 1 is expected to start producing green energy in the first quarter of 2025, with Stage 2 to follow in mid-2027.
Once complete, Golden Plains Wind Farm will provide enough clean energy to power more than 750,000 homes - the equivalent of every home in regional Victoria.
