Victoria Approves Southern Hemisphere's Largest Wind Farm

WestWind Energy intends to erect 219 turbines and integrate two 300-megawatt battery storage systems across 26,000 hectares of wheat belt farmland. Located over 300 kilometers north of Melbourne, the site surpasses the capacity of the Golden Plains Wind Farm, currently the nation's largest. Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny signed the approval just weeks before the state enters election-period caretaker mode.

Victoria currently leads Australia in wind capacity, with renewables providing nearly 45% of its total electricity generation. Despite this shift, the state remains dependent on aging coal-fired plants in the Latrobe Valley, which continue to supply over half of the region's power. Nationally, coal still accounts for more than 40% of total generation, even as the government targets 82% renewable energy by 2030.

The project arrives as Australia navigates a complex energy transition. While the Net Zero Economy Authority plans to phase out domestic coal-fired stations by 2049, the nation remains a major global exporter of coal. Wind energy is positioned as a critical, low-cost replacement for retiring thermal plants, supporting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's long-term net-zero goals.