Golden Plains Wind Farm installs first of many turbines in renewable energy milestone

Australia’s journey towards renewable energy has taken a significant leap forward with the successful installation of the first turbine at TagEnergy’s Golden Plains Wind Farm near Geelong, Victoria. This event marks a pivotal moment for what is set to become the nation’s largest approved wind farm, speeding up Australia’s transition to renewable energy sources.

The Golden Plains Wind Farm project, under the guidance of its lead Engineering, Procurement, and Construction partner Vestas, witnessed the erection of its first 149-metre high wind turbine. This milestone was achieved in just six days, following three months of intensive civil works and foundation preparations. The V162 turbine, the first of its kind in Victoria and the first of 122 planned for stage one of the project, stands as a testament to Vestas’ innovation with the tallest onshore hub height, longest blades, and the highest rated output in Australia at 6.2MW.

The installation, a testament to logistical prowess and collaborative expertise, involved a dedicated team of 25 professionals managing crane operations and installation services. TagEnergy Managing Partner Australia, Andrew Riggs, expressed his excitement and satisfaction with the project’s progress, highlighting the significant role of the first turbine in advancing the energy transition to cleaner sources. “We trusted in the expertise of our valued partner Vestas and they delivered an incredibly complex installation safely and on schedule,” Riggs commented.

Danny Nielsen, Country Head Vestas Australia & New Zealand, shared his pride in leading the construction and future service operations of the Golden Plains Wind Farm – East. Vestas, as a global and Australian leader in wind energy, is committed to contributing its top-tier wind turbines and energy solutions to this landmark project.

Before the turbine installation began, the first of 1,464 turbine components arrived at the Port of Geelong, transported to the site where over 100km of internal access tracks are being constructed. The project also boasts two Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), with Snowy Hydro and global digital infrastructure company Equinix, ensuring customer engagement from the onset of energy production slated for the first quarter of 2025.

By the Numbers: An Overview of the Golden Plains Wind Farm Project

• Installation Efficiency: The first turbine was installed in a remarkable six days.
• Civil Works: Preparation involved laying a concrete foundation and constructing over 103km of internal access tracks.
• Logistics: A total of 21 vessels will carry turbine components to Geelong, with a vast operation to transport 1,464 components to the site.
• Technical Specifications: The wind turbines feature impressive dimensions and capacities, including a hub with the longest blades in Australia at 79 meters and a total transformer capacity of 1.3GW, among the largest in the country.