Works complete to connect South Australia’s biggest wind farm to grid

Works to connect South Australia’s largest wind farm to the state’s grid – and take it a major step closer to “net” 100 per cent renewables – have been completed.

South Australia transmission company ElectraNet announced the “important milestone” for the first 412MW stage of Neoen’s Goyder South wind farm, the finished product including poles and wires, substation facilities and grid connection points.

The 412MW Goyder South wind farm, itself under construction, 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.

But that is just the start of it. All told, Goyder South has approval for 1200MW of wind, 600MW of large scale solar, and battery storage of up to 900MW and 1800MWh – making it the biggest hybrid project in Australia already under construction.

South Australia currently sources a world-leading average of more than 70 per cent of its power supply from solar and wind – and regularly achieves periods of 100% renewable supply. The powering up of the first stage of Goyder South in 2024 is expected to take the net total to more than 80 per cent renewables.

“This milestone marks a significant achievement for our team and all stakeholders involved,” said ElectraNet Project Manager, Hasan Fayyaz, in a statement last week.

“Through meticulous planning, diligent execution, and effective collaboration, we have delivered the necessary infrastructure… to enable the integration of the Goyder South Stage 1 into the existing power grid.

“Together, we have made some significant progress toward a greener and more sustainable future, contributing to South Australia’s renewable energy goals, and fostering economic growth in the region,” Hasan said.

Neoen – whose role in South Australia’s renewables transition has included construction of the groundbreaking Hornsdale Power Reserve, Australia’s first big battery – also acknowledged the “important milestone.”

“We deeply value our long-term relationship and look forward to working together on many more projects as South Australia’s clean energy transition deepens,” said Neoen Australia’s chief operating officer Laurent Francisci.