South Australia’s biggest wind farm now fully registered, although not yet complete

The biggest wind project to date in South Australia, the 412 MW Goyder South wind farm near Burra, has achieved registration for both the first and second stage of its project, even though it is not yet finished construction.

Goyder South owner Neoen obtained the registration for the 209 MW Goyder 1A in July, although there is yet to be any signs of the first generation from that part of the project. This week, according to a market notice, it received registration for the 203 MW Goyder 1B.

The registration allows for the completion of all the necessary processes to start generating, and for the sometimes lengthy commissions process to start.

Goyder South’s output is already contracted. Around half of the capacity will be going mostly to satisfy the ACT government contract to boost its renewable electricity supply as it  seeks more clean power to manage its transition to electric homes and transport, and an offtake agreement with Flow Power.

The other half of the Goyder South project will be used mostly to deliver the unique “baseload” renewable energy contract for BHP’s giant Olympic Dam project. That will be supported by the big Blyth battery that is currently under construction, and which appears to have been expanded to a capacity of 238.5MW and 477MWh.

The Goyder South wind farm is part of a potentially much bigger renewable energy hub that could grow to 1200 MW of wind, 600 MW of solar, and up to 900 MW (around two hours) of battery storage capacity.

However, while the 5.5MW turbines for Goyder South 1A are installed, the turbine blades are still being transported to the site of Goyder South 1A, with Neoen flagging this week a new route for the long road journey from Port Adelaide.