Stockyard Hill Wind Farm commences commissioning phase

Stockyard Hill Wind Farm has celebrated a significant milestone with the first wind turbine connected to the Victorian transmission network and generating electricity.

Stockyard Hill Wind Farm, the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere, has installed 90 Goldwind 3S turbines to date of the 149 total. In an important step towards full operation, the first of the project’s three substations has been energised, enabling turbines to be commissioned and energy generation into the national electricity grid for the first time. The remaining two substations are expected to be fully commissioned and energised in June.

Goldwind Australia’s Managing Director, Mr John Titchen said this was a significant milestone for the project which once fully operational will power more than 425,000 Victorian homes.

“The project team and its contractors have worked tirelessly to achieve this milestone,” Mr Titchen said.

“The project’s size has at times proved challenging during construction, not only in constructing the wind farm infrastructure, but also constructing the 75-kilometre 132 kV multi duplex powerline and the Haunted Gully Terminal Station, which connects the project into the national energy grid.”

“The highly focused team has worked collaboratively with project stakeholders to overcome these challenges and remain on schedule. The team has adapted well to managing risk during this difficult time and continues to make good progress.”

Construction of Stockyard Hill Wind Farm commenced in May 2018 and has seen more than 400 employees and contractors on site during stages of construction, including many local Australian companies.

Goldwind and investment partner Nebras anticipate the project will be fully operational in late 2020.