Australia's WestWind Energy Approved to Build 122 MW Wind Farm

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Victorian Government has recently approved the construction of the Normanville Energy Park project. Located near Kerang in the Gannawarra Shire, the project will feature a new 122 MW wind energy facility comprising up to 17 wind turbines and associated electrical infrastructure. Once operational, the energy park is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to power approximately 90,000 Victorian homes.

Beyond electricity generation, the project will deliver significant economic and community benefits to the local area over its lifetime. During construction, it is expected to attract approximately AUD 350 million in investment to Victoria and create up to 60 on-site jobs over two years, while the operational phase will support two to three long-term local positions. The project will contribute more than AUD 900,000 annually to the local economy through community benefit programs, neighbor and landowner payments, council rates, and ongoing project expenditure, as well as providing additional business opportunities for local enterprises, contractors, and service providers.

Tobias Geiger, Managing Director of WestWind Energy, stated that receiving state government approval represents a significant milestone for the company and the local region, reflecting years of planning, technical assessment, and collaboration. He thanked landowners, the Gannawarra Shire Council, government agencies, and all parties involved in the planning approval process, noting that their feedback helped shape a responsible and well-designed project.

The planning approval is based on years of detailed project development, including comprehensive environmental and technical assessments, as well as engagement with key stakeholders. The assessments covered biodiversity, landscape, cultural heritage, noise, traffic, aviation, bushfire, and related planning considerations. The Normanville Energy Park has been designed in collaboration with farmers to enable agricultural activities to coexist with renewable energy generation, supporting diversified income streams for landowners while maintaining productive farming operations. The project will also add new generation capacity to the grid, supporting the long-term transformation of Victoria's energy system.