Final turbine installed at largest wind project in state edging closer to 100 pct net renewables

The last of 75 turbines has been installed at the biggest wind project yet built in South Australia which will help edge the state closer to its 2027 target of reaching 100 per cent net renewables.

The 412 megawatt Goyder South wind project, near Burra, is being built by Neoen Australia and is also the largest wind project in its 10 GW of renewable energy projects currently operating, under construction or in development.

The Goyder renewable energy zone is expected to be one of the biggest renewable energy hubs in the world, combining multiple gigawatts of wind, solar and battery storage – with the final capacity likely to depend on the success of new green industries in the state, and its green hydrogen prospects.

The first stage of Goyder South has contracts with the ACT government, Flow Power, and a unique “baseload renewables” contract with BHP’s Olympic Dam mine that is backed by the 238.5 MW, 477 MWh Blyth battery that was commissioned just over a week ago.

A 300 MW component of the nearby Goyder North project is one of 19 projects awarded underwriting agreements under the federal goverment’s Capacity Investment Scheme. Assuming it goes ahead, it would be the first stage of a project that could combine 1 GW of wind and up to 3,600 MWh of battery storage at Goyder North.

The Goyder South zone could combine more than 1 GW of wind, 600 MW of solar and 1,800 MWh of battery storage, although these combinations will likely vary according to market conditions and demand.

The first stages of the Goyder South and Goyder North projects will be key in helping South Australia leap from its current country and world-leading share of 72 per cent wind and solar to its target of 100 per cent net renewables by the end of 2027.

That target will be helped by the construction of the new Project EnergyConnect, linking the South Australia grid directly to NSW for the first time, with a small spur line to Victoria.

The opening of the first 150 MW stage of that new transmission link a week ago has already allowed the output of wind energy to surge to a new record, as the opening of new markets and transfer capacity means less curtailment.

The activities of the new Blyth battery, and the seven other big battery projects currently under construction in South Australia, will help on that score.

The Goyder South wind project, divided into two distinct components, has completed the second hold point of its commissioning process, which allows it to send out close to 300 MW at any one time.

The final hold point testing and full commissioning is expected to be completed within the next two months.