Construction has begun on Victoria’s latest wind farm, which will include a Victorian-first underground transmission line to connect the energy project to the national grid.
ACCIONA will build the 35-turbine Mortlake South Wind Farm which will generate enough clean energy to power 115,000 homes each year.
The $275 million project will create over 90 new jobs during construction and 34 ongoing jobs.
The wind turbine supplier for the project also intends to establish a regional hub in the state to service Australian, New Zealand and South East Asian markets.
The underground transmission route will be based on environmental, cultural heritage and engineering considerations aimed at minimising the impact of the farm’s construction and presence.
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The Mortlake South Wind Farm is supported by the Victorian Government’s Renewable Energy Target reverse auction and was one of six successful applicants in last year’s auction.
The State Government is increasing its Renewable Energy Target to 50 per cent by 2030. In 2017-18, renewable energy generation accounted for 18.3 per cent of the total energy generated in Victoria, up from 11.8 per cent in 2014-15.
Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said the government’s energy target has been the catalyst for unprecedented renewable energy investment and jobs growth in regional Victoria.
“This wind farm will create local jobs, reduce greenhouse emissions and generate enough electricity to power more than 115,000 homes — boosting energy supply and bringing down prices,” she said.