These attributes make it possible to build utility scale renewable energy power stations as well as industrial and commercial embedded generation projects. The resulting emissions-free electricity, contributes significantly towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Utility-Scale Wind Farms
WestWind Energy has already developed a number of wind farm sites in Australia. These sites feature a good wind resource, close proximity to the national electricity grid and are located in areas that are not ecologically sensitive.
The company’s first development, Mt Mercer Wind Farm, was acquired as a green field site by New Zealand’s Meridian Energy in 2009. Today 64 Senvion MM92 wind turbines are spinning at Mt Mercer, with an installed capacity of approximately 130MW the wind farm produces enough electricity to power more than 70,000 average homes.
Two further developments, Moorabool Wind Farm (312MW) and Lal Lal Wind Farm (228 MW) have been developed, permitted and sold in 2016 and 2017.
In late 2018 WestWind received the planning permit for the Golden Plains Wind Farm. Golden Plains Wind Farm – East (Stage 1) commenced construction in Q1 2023 and will feature 122 turbines and is currently owned by TagEnergy (85%) and Ingka Group (15%). Golden Plains Wind Farm – West (Stage 2) of the project is wholly owned by WestWind Energy and is expected to commence construction in early 2024.
For more information on WestWind Energy’s projects go to the Projects section
Commercial & Industrial-Scale
This has led WestWind Energy into the grid connected commercial and industrial renewable energy generation sector, where many project opportunities justify the development of renewable power generation, typically using solar power. In some cases, these projects are viable today without any monetary recognition of the clean credentials of renewable energy.
Island Solutions & Micro-Grids
In many instances a significant proportion of that generation – or indeed all of it – can be replaced with electricity generation using solar or wind power or both. The economic benefits of replacing Diesel generation with renewable generation are obvious when looking at the current cost of energy.