The Victorian Government will build a major new wind farm with battery storage in Western Victoria that will power the expansion of Stawell’s Nectar Farms.
The project will make the advanced agriculture facility the world’s first ever crop farm to be completely powered by renewable energy.
The 15-year Support Agreement between the Victorian Government and Neoen Australia will deliver the Bulgana Green Power Hub – an integrated energy project of a scale and technology never been seen before.
The wind farm and battery storage system will provide reliable and affordable renewable energy to unlock the development of a major new advanced agriculture facility in Stawell.
The farm will use the latest in hydroponic glasshouse and plant technology to create a 40 hectare, state-of-the-art facility to supply the highest quality vegetables into domestic and international markets.
The co-located 204MW Bulgana Green Power Hub will be backed up by a 20MW battery, making the farms expansion a reality by providing the secure and affordable energy that Nectar Farms needs for its hydroponic greenhouses.
It is expected the project will help secure the Victorian Government’s greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets of 15 to 20 per cent (from 2005 levels) by the year 2020.
Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, said the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help to meet Victoria’s renewable energy generation targets.
“This is an exciting initiative which illustrates how renewable energy can unlock opportunities for large, energy intensive businesses to create jobs and build a better future for regional communities,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
