Work is now underway on the Berrybank Wind Farm, which will generate enough energy to power around 138,000 homes thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s landmark Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET).

Premier Daniel Andrews today joined Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio and Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle to mark the start of major construction on the 43-turbine project.

The $276 million project to be built by Global Power Generation (Naturgy Energy Group) will boost renewable energy supply, as Victoria moves towards the Labor Government’s renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2030.

The 180-megawatt wind farm will provide a major boost to the local economy, delivering 213 construction jobs and 24 apprenticeships, with wind turbine assembly set to recommence in Australia for the first time in ten years.

The brand-new Vestas Renewable Energy Hub on the former Ford site in Geelong will build the turbines for this project, which will be underpinned by 64 per cent local content under the Labor Government’s Victorian Industry Participation Policy.

To support ongoing turbine maintenance, wind turbine technician training will also be delivered in Ballarat by Federation University as part of the Ballarat Renewable Training Centre.

Berrybank Wind Farm was made possible thanks to the Labor Government’s VRET reverse auction, which will see more than 900 MW of new clean energy developed – almost 45 percent more generation capacity than anticipated – helping to drive down energy prices for Victorian families.

Together, these projects under the reverse auction will generate over $1.1 billion in economic investment and create more than 900 jobs, including 270 apprenticeships and traineeships in regional Victoria.

It is expected that achieving the VRET 2025 target of 40 per cent alone will drive around $7.2 billion of investment and create more than 10,000 jobs, as we boost the amount of energy generated by renewable sources.

The Berrybank Wind Farm is expected to commence operations in late 2020.

Quotes attributable to the Premier Daniel Andrews

“Victoria is the renewable energy capital of our nation and thanks to this investment, we’ve put Western Victoria right at the centre – this is great for jobs and great for our state.”

“Whether it’s the VRET or our Solar Homes Program, we’re driving down the energy costs for families, supporting local businesses and creating thousands of jobs.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“This is an exciting next step in driving down energy prices, reducing carbon emissions and creating jobs as we work towards our renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2030.”

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“I’m proud to see the Ballarat region helping to lead the way in Victoria’s renewable energy future, with all the local jobs and economic prosperity that flows from it.”