Final turbine installed at largest wind project in state edging closer to 100 pct 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 100% net renewables.
The 412 megawatt Goyder South wind project, near Burra, is being built by Neoen Australia.
The Goyder renewable energy zone (REZ) is expected to be one of the biggest renewable hubs in the world, combining multiple gigawatts of wind, solar and battery storage.
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, backed by the 238.5 MW, 477 MWh Blyth battery.
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.
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 projects will help the state leap from its current country and world-leading share of 72% wind and solar to its target of 100% net renewables.
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.
The activities of the new Blyth battery, and the seven other big battery projects currently under construction, will help on that score.