The 180MW Berrybank Wind Farm has officially opened, with the potential to generate enough energy to power every home in greater Geelong it will help Victoria meet its clean energy targets.
Owned by Global Power Generation, it is one of the large-scale renewable energy projects supported under the Victorian Government’s Renewable Energy Target reverse auction.
The 180MW, 43-turbine wind farm north of Colac, delivered $284 million of capital investment while supporting more than 280 jobs including 26 apprentices during construction.
As part of Victoria’s support agreement with Global Power Generation, Berrybank has delivered several initiatives including annual community development grants through the Golden Plains and Corangamite Shire Council and subsidised solar panels for local households and Council.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, said, “I’m thrilled to see large-scale renewable energy generators like Berrybank come online following our first Victorian Renewable Energy Target auction.”
Victoria’s first Renewable Energy Target reverse auction was the largest auction ever held in Australia, bringing online new wind and solar projects across the state.
Berrybank Wind Farm will continue local benefit-sharing and investment initiatives over the next 15 years, including annual grants programs, scholarships, and an Entrepreneur Incubator Program.
With Victoria having exceeded its 2020 renewable energy target of 25 per cent, the wind farm is helping ensure the state achieves its targets of 40 per cent by 2025 and 50 per cent by 2030.
In December 2021, the State Government closed applications for a second Victorian Renewable Energy Target reverse auction of at least 600MW to source 100 per cent renewable electricity for all State Government operations by 2025.
Ms D’Ambrosio said, “These projects are a great step forward for Victoria’s clean energy transition – bring us closer to halving our emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”
To find out more about the targets visit energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/victorias-renewable-energy-target.
