Hornsdale Wind Farm wins another 100 MW

South Australia’s Hornsdale Wind Farm, developed by French renewables company Neoen in partnership with Megawatt Capital Investments, will deliver at least 200 MW in power to the Australian Capital Territory.

South Australian Minister for Investment and Trade Martin Hamilton-Smith said the state government last year gave the go-ahead for the 270 MW wind farm, which will create up to 250 construction jobs and 10 operational jobs. He said, “Neoen expects the Hornsdale project to provide enough power for 56,000 Canberra homes and provide 13% of the Australian Capital Territory’s projected electricity demand in 2020.”

The farm was awarded a contract to deliver 100 MW in February 2015, under an ACT Government reverse auction which saw companies detail how they could generate the greatest amount of renewable energy at the least price. This was followed by an additional 100 MW from a second reverse auction later in the year.

“Hornsdale has been able to achieve Australia’s lowest known contract price for renewables at $77/MWh,” said Hamilton-Smith.

“Having 200 of the 270 MW now allocated means that construction jobs will be secured for the next three years over stages 1 and 2 of the wind farm build, which is great news for the Mid North region.

“Construction is currently underway on Stage 1, with commissioning expected to occur sometime in 2017.”

Hamilton-Smith said the state government continues to provide case management support for Neoen’s investments in South Australia through the newly established Investment Attraction Agency. The agency oversees a $15 million investment fund which is available to companies looking to expand their operations or to establish a presence in South Australia.

Image caption: Foundation inspection at the site of the Hornsdale Wind Farm.