In another landmark for the Latrobe Valley, construction is underway on Victoria’s first publicly owned, utility-scale wind generation project as the region looks toward a renewable future.
The SEC Delburn Wind Farm is emblematic of the revival taking place in the region once renewed for coal fire power plants and it now takes a key role in the energy transition.
About 55 workers arrived on site last month, including construction managers, engineers, civil crews, specialist contractors and a dedicated fire risk management crew in what is a sign of a boost to jobs and investment in the area.
The region, where the former SEC once had a strong presence. In the Latrobe Valley power plants is now shifting away from its ageing coal fired plants and finding new opportunities.
Hazelwood for instance, once home to long-closed power plant will be a key location in the major Marinus Link project connecting Victoria and boosting capacity with Tasmania renewables.
Timely change
SEC Executive General Manager, Assets, Lane Crockett said the Delburn Wind Farm is already delivering real benefits for local workers while supporting the state’s energy transition.
“The SEC Delburn Wind Farm is not only critical for our energy future, it’s creating real jobs and opportunities for workers in the Latrobe Valley,” Crockett said.
“As coal assets retire, projects like Delburn can help skilled energy workers continue to apply their expertise while building new capabilities in renewable energy.”
SEC is working with several delivery partners on the project including OSMI Australia, Vestas and Delta Group, which has a strong local workforce presence in Traralgon.
Local jobs for local expertise
Engineer Jack Burgess-Pincini is among Delta Group’s workforce helping get construction underway.
Jack also worked on the project previously with OSMI Australia and is enjoying the opportunity to gain onsite experience on a renewable energy project. Before moving into renewables, Jack gained experience in the coal industry, including working at a coal-fired power station.
“It’s been really rewarding to be part of this project from the early stages,” he said.
“A lot of people want to stay local, and developments like the SEC Delburn Wind Farm mean we can keep building our careers here as the industry transitions.”
Construction works underway include site establishment, compound and site facility construction, access road development, plantation tree clearing and mulching, and early-stage earthworks. Fire compliance, cultural heritage, and safety works continue as part of the construction preparation activities.
Early works also included the installation of five 130,000-litre firefighting water tanks as part of extensive fire mitigation measures.
SEC acquired the wind farm in December 2025 and, once operational in 2028, it will deliver up to 205 megawatts of renewable electricity
The project is expected to create more than 300 jobs during construction, with opportunities for local workers and businesses through construction and supply contracts, alongside more than $22 million in neighbour and community benefit sharing programs.
The Delburn Wind Farm adds to SEC’s growing pipeline of projects, including the SEC Renewable Energy Park – Horsham which is under construction, and the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub near Melton which has been contributing to meeting Victoria’s renewable supply goals since its completion in December last year.
“SEC is moving at pace to deliver the next generation of energy infrastructure supporting jobs and building the workforce needed to achieve 4.5 gigawatts of renewable energy and storage by 2035,” Mr Crockett said.
