State Approval Follows Environmental Assessment
Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny approved the development five months after determining that its Environment Effects Statement (EES) identified acceptable environmental impacts. The decision follows a public exhibition of the EES in 2025 and two months of public hearings conducted by an independent inquiry panel.
Wind Farm to Feature 219 Turbines and Battery Storage
The USD 5 billion wind farm would cover approximately 26,000 hectares of farmland west of Warracknabeal and north of Horsham, more than 300 kilometres northwest of Melbourne. With generation capacity exceeding 1.5 gigawatts (GW), the facility would also include two battery energy storage systems rated at 300 megawatts each. The proposed investment would support the development of this large-scale renewable energy project.
Project Expected to Support Electricity Supply and Jobs
WestWind estimates that the development could supply around 12.5% of Victoria’s electricity demand, provide power equivalent to the needs of approximately 1.2 million homes and prevent more than 4.2 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Construction is expected to create about 950 jobs, while the developer has previously identified 35 permanent operational positions.
WestWind Highlights Project Milestone
WestWind Energy Managing Director Tobias Geiger said, “Today’s announcement is an important milestone for the Warracknabeal Energy Park and reflects a decade of detailed planning, technical assessment and engagement with the local community.”
He added, “Projects of this scale have the potential to make a substantial contribution to Victoria’s future energy supply, support regional economic development and attract further investment in renewable energy and associated infrastructure.”
Development Builds on Earlier Wind Farm Experience
The developer began consultations with local communities and landowners in 2017. The USD 5 billion wind farm is expected to marginally exceed the scale of Golden Plains Wind Farm, west of Geelong, which comprises 215 turbines and has a capacity of 1.33 GW. WestWind originated that project before selling its first stage to France-based TagEnergy, which achieved financial close in 2022.
Transmission Infrastructure to Connect the Project
Infrastructure plans for the USD 5 billion wind farm include approximately 34 kilometres of high-voltage overhead transmission lines, including a 13-kilometre connection to Murra Warra Terminal Station and the planned Western Renewables Link.