Commentary

Tables – large scale renewable energy projects being built, or about to start

Published by

These tables were put together by the Clean Energy Council to highlight the large scale wind and solar projects already under construction in 2017, and those that are expected to start this year.

Together they make a total of 3,554MW, putting the country well within reach of the 2020 renewable energy target of 33,000GWh, a total that is expected to require between 5,000 and 6,000MW of large scale renewable energy capacity, depending on how much is wind and how much is solar.

These projects include several projects, such as the Hornsdale 2 and 3, and the Kiata wind farms, that were commissioned by the ACT government for its 100 per cent renewable energy target and will be over and above the federal RET.

Ararat wind farm has also been completed, so is not included in these tables although its capacity of 240MW is included in the total for the year.

Giles Parkinson is founder and editor-in-chief of Renew Economy, and founder and editor of its EV-focused sister site The Driven. He is the co-host of the weekly Energy Insiders Podcast. Giles has been a journalist for more than 40 years and is a former deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review. You can find him on LinkedIn and on Twitter.

Giles Parkinson

Giles Parkinson is founder and editor-in-chief of Renew Economy, and founder and editor of its EV-focused sister site The Driven. He is the co-host of the weekly Energy Insiders Podcast. Giles has been a journalist for more than 40 years and is a former deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review. You can find him on LinkedIn and on Twitter.

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Turnbull turns to battery storage, with giga-scale plan for near Melbourne

The former PM – once one-eyed in his support of pumped hydro storage – is…

1 September 2026

“State-of-the-art facility” wins funds to service and refurbish wind turbines on Australian soil

State tips $500,000 into local family-owned electric motor specialist to support delivery of a state-of-the-art…

1 September 2026

Mild winter and abundant rooftop solar sends grid demand to record lows – just 2 MW in one state

Energy market operator reinforces need for more flexibility, storage and transmission as electricity demand is…

1 September 2026

“Sick joke:” Beetaloo gas starts flowing as new UN report issues “deafening” climate wake-up call

As the NT marks first gas from the huge Beetaloo "carbon bomb," the Pacific Islands…

1 September 2026

From diesel shackles to solar sovereignty: How Australia can help unlock a renewable Pacific

Behind the Pacific’s reliance on fossil fuel imports lies an extraordinary economic opportunity. But tapping…

1 September 2026

Wind giant gets green light to plug batteries into turbines at 300 MW project, deliver an Australian first

Plans to add batteries to three-quarters of the turbines at a proposed 298 MW wind…

1 September 2026