Renewable energy in South Australia has received a significant boost with the inauguration of the Goyder South wind farm.
Located near the town of Burra on the lands of the Ngadjuri Nation, Goyder South comprises 75 wind turbines, enabling it to generate about 1.5TWh of renewable energy per year.
Wind generation in South Australia is set to increase by 20 per cent through Goyder South, recognised as the state’s largest wind farm.
Three long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) underpin the wind farm, including a 14-year contract with the ACT Government, which is targeting net zero by 2045, for 100MW of renewable energy.
Australian electricity retailer Flow Power has signed on for a 10-year, 40MW PPA, while BHP will receive 70MW of renewable energy from Goyder South to support its Olympic Dam copper operations. The mining company also recently signed on for a 100MW deal at Neoen’s future Goyder North wind farm.
Once Goyder North and the Goyder battery come online, Neoen’s contribution to the SA energy grid will surpass 1.5GW of renewable energy and storage capacity. These assets form part of the Goyder renewable energy zone in the state’s Mid North.
“Goyder South is a credit to the world-class wind resources of South Australia and to the team’s leadership in leveraging these to develop high-quality projects,” Neoen Australia chief executive officer Jean-Christophe Cheylus said.
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped bring this wind farm to life – our host landowners, the governments of South Australia and the ACT, and the regional council of Goyder, as well as ElectraNet, AEMO, BHP and Flow Power.”
SA Government Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis said projects such as Goyder South were establishing the state as a premier renewable energy jurisdiction.
“Projects like Neoen’s Goyder South wind farm highlight the quality of the wind resource here in South Australia, and when combined with abundant solar, it becomes clear why renewable energy companies from around the world are lining up to invest in South Australia,” he said.
The inauguration of Goyder South is another milestone on South Australia’s journey to achieving 100 per cent net renewable generation by 2027.
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