On Friday 21 June the Hon Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria, turned the first sod for the construction of the Berrybank Wind Farm, in the south-west of Golden Plains Shire.
The Premier was joined by the Hon Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, and Michaela Settle MP, Member for Buninyong. Golden Plains Shire was represented by the Mayor, Cr Owen Sharkey and Acting CEO Philippa O’Sullivan, with attendees included representatives from Global Power Generation (GPG), Vestas, Corangamite Shire Council, Federation University, RMIT, and a large media contingent.
The Berrybank Wind Farm project was granted with a Development Consent to install a total of 79 turbines, 41 of them in Golden Plains Shire, and the remaining 38 turbines to be built in neighbouring Corangamite Shire. Stage One of the development will see construction of 43 turbines by September 2020, with 24 turbines to be located in Golden Plains Shire. It will produce 650 GWh a year, which corresponds to the energy demand of approximately 138,000 households.
This $276 million project is expected to create approximately 213 full-time equivalent new local jobs during construction and the operational phases. The Berrybank Wind Farm Development Pty Ltd was a successful tenderer for the State Government’s Victorian Renewable Energy Target Reverse Auction, which will see the 43 turbines in Stage One contributing towards the Victorian Government’s renewable energy target of 40 per cent by 2025.
Additionally, Golden Plains and Corangamite Shire communities will see benefits beyond the future power generation. During the construction phase, GPG has committed a considerable investment for shared benefits activities, which will see a suite of initiatives funded within surrounding communities. Initiatives to be funded in Golden Plains Shire include:
- an annual community grants program, to be administered by Golden Plains Shire Council as part of our existing grants program;
- a community asset initiative, which will contribute funds towards community projects, such as the Teesdale Turtle Bend Park upgrade and the Three Trails Project; and
- a community solar program, which will see the installation of solar panels on community facilities and homes.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said that this construction milestone is great news for Golden Plains Shire.
“Friday was a great day for Golden Plains Shire, and it is fantastic that a local project will be contributing to the State Government’s renewable targets.”
“Council has been working closely with Global Power Generation over a number of years, and it’s exciting to see this project reach the construction phase.”
“The Berrybank Wind Farm is a win-win for the local community. Not only will this project contribute to Victoria’s energy transition, but it will also see significant funding for local community projects.”
For more information on this significant project, visit GPG’s website unionfenosa.com.au/portfolio/berrybank-wind-farm/