The largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere has begun feeding into Victoria’s electricity grid, powering Victorian homes and businesses with cheap and reliable renewable energy.

Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio today announced the powering up of the Golden Plains Wind Farm at Rokewood, which will be able to power 765,000 homes – or every home in regional Victoria – when fully operational.

Once complete, the 1.3 gigawatt (GW) wind farm will produce more than 4,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy each year and meet 9 per cent of Victoria’s current energy demand.

This will be supported by a 300 megawatt (MW) battery on site, that will soak up any excess energy and export it back to the grid when it is needed most.

The Golden Plains Wind Farm created about 700 jobs during construction and will generate up to 70 full time ongoing jobs.

Since 2014, the Labor Government has more than quadrupled the amount of power generated by wind farms and the share of electricity generated by renewables has increased from less than 10 percent to 39 percent last year.

Because of our record investments in renewable energy, Victoria has consistently had the lowest wholesale energy prices in the national market.

Victoria has met every renewable energy and climate change target set to date and is on track to hit 40 per cent renewables by 2025, and 95 percent by 2035.

Meeting Victoria’s renewable energy generation and energy storage targets will deliver $9.5 billion in economic activity and 59,000 jobs.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio

“The Golden Plains Wind Farm will be able to power every regional Victorian home – delivering lower bills for Victorian families.”

“Victoria is the clean energy investment capital of Australia, and this project is another example of how Victoria’s ambitious renewable energy policies are creating jobs and driving the renewables sector.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eureka Michaela Settle

“Golden Plains will host Australia's largest wind farm and we welcome the jobs and renewable energy it provides for the local community and beyond"

Golden Plains Wind Farm

The Golden Plains Wind Farm project involves the establishment of a wind energy facility including wind turbines and associated electrical infrastructure on 16,739 ha to the west, south and south-west of Rokewood, a small rural town in the Golden Plains Shire; approximately 60 km north-west of Geelong. The site is located on land that is primarily used for agricultural purposes and has been substantially modified over time due to agricultural operations such as broad acre cropping and livestock grazing.

In 2006, WestWind began monitoring the wind resource in the Shire of Golden Plains, specifically around the Barunah Park and Rokewood area. In 2016, WestWind completed further feasibility investigations into the proposed development site and made the commercial decision to pursue a planning permit for an 800-1000 MW project.

The Project has been through an extensive planning process including the state’s highest level of environmental scrutiny, an EES (Environment Effects Statement). The Project has obtained state planning approval and has received its planning permit from the Victorian Minister for Planning.

The approved development has a current design layout of 215 turbines, each with a capacity of 6 MW. The project will generate over 4,000 GWh per annum of electricity – enough to power more than 765,000 homes – and prevent more than 4.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from being emitted to the atmosphere each year.

On Tuesday, 16 November 2021, the Victorian Minister for Planning approved an amendment application for the Project. Click here for more information on the Permit Amendment.

In November 2022, TagEnergy purchased Stage 1 of the project known as Golden Plains Wind Farm – East. Golden Plains Wind Farm – East commenced construction in January 2023. In February 2023, Ingka Group purchased 15% of Golden Plains Wind Farm – East from TagEnergy (remaining 85% still owned by TagEnergy). The Eastern stage of Golden Plains Wind Farm is estimated to take 3 years to complete construction and will operate for approximately 30 years.

In June 2024, TagEnergy purchased the second stage of the project known as Golden Plains Wind Farm – West. Construction commenced in July 2024.

Key Facts 

Location
Golden Plains Shire, Rokewood, Victoria

Turbines
Up to 228 approved
Endorsed layout 215

Total tip height
Up to 230 m

Wind turbine rotor
Up to 165 m diameter

Installed capacity
1,330 MW

Energy production
>4,000 GWh annually

Homes powered
>765,000 homes

Greenhouse savings
>4.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually

Site area
16,739 ha

Shire rates
>$1.5 million a year

Development cost
>$3 billion

Host landholders 
37

KeyFacts Energy: Renewable Energy news