The Victorian government has approved the construction of the Warracknabeal Energy Park, which once complete will be the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere.
The massive 219-turbine development is set to generate more than 1.5 gigawatts of clean electricity, enough to power up to 1.2 million Victorian homes and account for roughly 11.8 per cent of the state’s total future energy requirements.
Located in regional Victoria, the facility will also feature two 300-megawatt battery energy storage systems (BESS).
The integrated battery array will capture excess renewable power generated during off-peak hours and feed it back into the grid during peak demand times, driving down household power bills and bolstering grid reliability.
The project is expected to deliver a major economic boost to the region, creating almost 950 jobs throughout the construction phase along with permanent operational roles once complete.
Approval for the energy park followed a comprehensive Environment Effects Statement (EES) process, which encompassed technical assessments, extensive community consultation, and a public inquiry.
State ministers pointed to the project as a vital component of Victoria’s statutory targets to source 65 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2030 and 95 per cent by 2035.
Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny confirmed the government was focused on boosting supply to help households manage living costs.
“We are delivering more energy that will help lower power bills,” Kilkenny said.
Minister for Energy and Resources Jaclyn Symes and Minister for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora both welcomed the decision, reiterating that expanding renewable capacity remains the most cost-effective path to lower energy prices and secure regional employment.
“We are delivering new projects that will push down energy bills while also creating new jobs in regional Victoria,” Ermacora said.