Victoria’s renewables are powering ahead, with two new wind farms opening in the state – including one of its largest to date.
Together, the Ryan Corner Wind Farm and Hawkesdale Wind Farms are capable of powering 208,000 homes across Victoria.
The Ryan Corner Wind Farm is one of the largest wind farms in the state, with 52 turbines producing 218MW – enough to power 140,000 homes.
The Hawkesdale Wind Farm has 23 turbines which can produce 97MW of electricity, enough to power 67,000 homes.
The Victorian Government said it has met every climate target it has set to date and is on track to reach its next target of 40 per cent renewable energy generation by 2025.
In October 2024, renewables met 49 per cent of the state’s total monthly electricity generation – wind energy provided about 23 per cent of Victoria’s monthly electricity generation.
Since 2014, the amount of renewable electricity generated by wind farms in Victoria has more than quadrupled.
The State Government said this increase has meant that Victoria consistently has the lowest wholesale power prices in the country, ensuring that the state has been better insulated against global energy price rises.
The Victorian Government also said that meeting the state’s renewable energy targets will deliver $9.5 billion in economic activity and 59,000 jobs, with many of the ongoing benefits to be in regional Victoria, including new jobs and local business growth.
Developer of both wind farms – Global Power Generation – has also created a Community Engagement and Benefit Sharing Plan for each project to ensure the community stays informed about project updates and receives positives benefits from the project.
Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, said, “With more than 4.7GW of wind energy operating across 42 projects, and a further nine either under construction or approved for construction, we have created the foundations that secures Victoria’s energy future.”
Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action, Sheena Watt, said, “Ryan Corner Wind Farm and Hawkesdale Wind Farm will strengthen our grid with more reliable, renewable and affordable energy while helping us to take the critical action necessary to limit climate change.”
Member for Western Victoria, Jacinta Ermacora, said, “The renewable energy transition is bringing with it the jobs of the future that will support our local communities, these wind farms have supported local jobs in the Moyne Shire while providing reliable and affordable energy.”
