Major works start on giant project that will propel South Australia to more than 80 pct wind and solar

Construction on the first stage of a giant wind project that will propel South Australia to more than 80 per cent wind and solar has officially begun, and been formally celebrated by the new state Labor government.

The 412MW Goyder South wind farm – the first stage of what could be the country’s biggest wind, solar and battery hybrid project – is considered one of the best assets in the country, with excellent wind speeds and with what will be, at least for a while, the biggest capacity turbines in the country.

Construction was formally announced late last week at a ceremony at the site in Burra attended by state premier Peter Malinauskus and energy minister Tom Koutsantonis.

The project owner – Neoen – had previously announced in January that “early construction” works had begun. The project is now moving into the “major works” stage with the installation of the turbine foundations and then the turbines themselves.

“With 412MW and fantastic wind speeds, it will be the largest in South Australia and an incredibly competitive project able to supply more than 10% of the SA demand,” Neoen Australia boss Louis de Sambucy said in a LinkedIn post.

“And it is only stage 1!!”

Goyder South has approval for 1200MW of wind, 600MW of large scale solar, and battery storage of up to 900MW and 1800MWh. That makes it the biggest hybrid project in Australia that has begun production. The first stage is also the single biggest wind project in the state.

Goyder South has signed off take deals with the ACT government, which also includes the construction of a 100MW/200MWh big battery in Canberra, as well as a 10 year offtake agreement with Flow Power.

South Australia already sources a world-leading 64 per cent of its electricity demand from wind and solar, and the soon-to-be completed 317MW wind and solar Port Augusta Renewable Energy Hub will take that above 70 per cent when it has completed commissioning.

The addition of the first stage of the Goyder South wind farm in 2024 will take that total to more than 80 per cent, easily the most in any gigawatt scale electricity grid in the world.

The remaining parts of the project are likely to be added once the new link to NSW, Project EnergyConnect, is completed, and to supply green power to the anticipated green hydrogen industry.

The Goyder South first stage project will feature 75 GE 5.5-159 Cypress turbines, and will create over 400 construction jobs and 12 full time permanent positions. It will be operational in 2024.