GOLDEN PLAINS WIND FARM
Project Summary – Current Approval
| LOCATION: | Golden Plains Shire, Vic |
| TURBINES: | 215 |
| EASTERN STAGE: | 122 Vestas V162-6.2 MW wind turbines |
| WESTERN STAGE: | 93 turbines of similar capacity and design to Eastern Stage |
| TOTAL TIP HEIGHT: | up to 230 m |
| WIND TURBINE ROTOR: | up to 165 m diameter |
| TOTAL INSTALLED CAPACITY: | 1,500 MW |
| TOTAL ENERGY PRODUCTION: | >4,000 GWh annually |
| TOTAL HOMES POWERED: | >765,000 homes |
| TOTAL GREENHOUSE SAVINGS: | >4.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually |
| TOTAL SITE AREA: | 16,723 ha |
| TOTAL DEVELOPMENT COST: | >$3 billion |
| TOTAL HOST LANDHOLDERS: | 37 |
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Project Overview
The Golden Plains Wind Farm project involves the establishment of a wind energy facility including wind turbines and associated electrical infrastructure on 16,739 ha to the west, south and south west of Rokewood, a small rural town in the Shire of Golden Plains; approximately 60 km north west of Geelong.
The site is located on land that is primarily used for agricultural purposes and has been substantially modified over time due to agricultural operations such as broad acre cropping and livestock grazing.
In 2006, WestWind began monitoring the wind resource in the Golden Plains Shire, specifically around the Barunah Park and Rokewood area. In 2016, WestWind completed further feasibility investigations into the proposed development site and made the commercial decision to pursue a planning permit for an 800-1000 MW project.
The Project has been through an extensive planning process over the past 3 years including the state’s highest level of environmental scrutiny, an Environment Effects Statement (EES). The Project has obtained state planning approval and has received its planning permit from the Victorian Minister for Planning.
The approved development has a current design layout of 215 turbines, each with a capacity of 6 MW. The project will generate over 4,000 GWh per annum of electricity, enough to power more than 765,000 homes – and prevent more than 4.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted to the atmosphere each year.
Community Benefit Fund
Once operational, a community fund will be established to provide annual financial support of up to $215,000 a year ($1000 annually per constructed turbine) for a range of community-based initiatives, projects and events that benefit local communities around the wind farm.
The fund will target a range of community needs including health and social welfare, safety, environment, education and youth, sport and recreation, culture, arts and economic development.
The fund will be overseen by a Community Reference Group (CRG) – made up of a group of volunteers that live around the wind farm site.
There are a number of programs already underway for the community of Golden Plains Wind Farm including:
- Community Grants Program
- Community Investment Program
- Community Energy Program
- Financial Incentive Program for Neighbours
- Landscaping Program
- Host Landholder Benefits
Information on these can be found on the Golden Plains Wind Farm website.