South Australia project gains grid connection deal, in key step to ending year-long wind investment drought

Melbourne based clean energy company Tilt Renewables has achieved another important milestone for its proposed Palmer wind project in South Australia, edging ever closer towards a final invest decision and breaking the country’s investment drought in wind energy.

Tilt Renewables announced on its LinkedIn account on Tuesday that the 288 megawatt (MW) Palmer project had officially received its Offer to Connect from local transmission company ElectraNet.

The Offer to Connect is a vital milestone for project developers ahead of taking a final investment decision (FID). Tilt says that “major technical and commercial milestones [are] progressing quickly” and that “the final stages ahead of Final Investment Decision are on the horizon.”

The Palmer wind project has already landed an underwriting deal with the federal government’s Capacity Investment Scheme, and a long term off take agreement with AGL Energy, and is one of a number that could break the country’s wind investment drought.

No wind farms in Australia have reached FID so far in 2025, a major set-back for the federal government’s plans to reach 82 per cent renewables by 2030, although enthusiasm for solar-battery hybrids and standalone battery projects are filling part of the gap.

The Palmer wind project is proposed near Palmer and Tungkillo, approximately 70 kilometres east of Adelaide, on the lands of the Peramangk People. It would consist of up to 40 wind turbines and generate power equivalent to the needs of 142,000 homes.

Tilt Renewables has completed a $2.25 billion refinancing of its debt facilities which is expected to further support a positive FID for the Palmer Wind Farm.

If Tilt Renewables gives the official go-ahead for construction, it will join the company’s portfolio of nearly 20 wind, solar, and battery projects in various stages of development and operation around Australia.

The Palmer Wind Farm announcement comes only a few weeks after Carmody’s Hill Wind Farm, another proposed South Australian wind farm, received approval for its Negotiated Generator Performance Standards (NER 5.3.4A) from ElectraNet and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), a key milestone towards a FID.

The 256 Carmody’s Hill Wind Farm, being developed by Aula Energy, is expected to consist of around 42 wind turbines built along the ridgeline of the Campbell Range near the Bundaleer Forest, south-east of Port Augusta, and has an option to add a 123 MW big battery.

Tilt is also nearing FID on the smaller Waddi wind project in Western Australia, which has also secured an off-take deal with AGL.

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