‘Green goldrush’ as renewables pipeline hits billions
As two massive new renewable energy projects start in SA today, the state government says the current green pipeline has rocketed in value.
Two new South Australian wind farm projects capable of powering more than 600,000 homes annually have started construction today with the Energy and Mining Minister Tom Koutsantonis lauding the “green goldrush” for the state.
French renewable energy company Neoen today starting building its Goyder North Wind Farm in the state’s mid-north near Burra. The project, once completed, will boost wind generation in SA by around 10 per cent.
Meanwhile, Tilt Renewables has also started construction of its Palmer Wind Farm 70km east of Adelaide, which will deliver enough renewable energy to power up to 140,000 SA homes once finished.
Koutsantonis said the pipeline of large-scale renewable energy and storage projects under construction or with development approval in SA had rocketed in value to more than $32 billion.
Almost $7 billion worth of projects were already up and running, he said, saying the “green goldrush shows no sign of abating an underpins that a focus on renewables is not just good for the environment, but for the economy”.
The value of the renewables project pipeline is up from $19 billion last year, Cooper, Steel, Critical Metals and Minerals Assistant Minister Lawrence Ben said.
“These are big investments that speak to great confidence in South Australia’s energy future and make a huge contribution to the state’s economy,” Ben said.
More than 200 construction jobs were expected to be created during the construction of Tilt’s Palmer Wind Farm.
Meanwhile, the Goyder North Wind Farm was expected to be underpinned by a 100MW renewable energy baseload agreement with BHP to power the mining giant’s Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill mines in SA.
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Neoen’s project was expected to create around 500 jobs during construction and more than 10 permanent roles during operations.
The French renewables giant’s latest project is part of a larger Goyder Renewables Zone – a hub with a total capacity of 1.2 GW of total capacity.
“Neoen’s partnership with BHP brings together two of our state’s great strengths: world-class renewable energy and abundant copper resources, helping secure investment, support jobs and supply the minerals needed for the global energy transition,” Koutsantonis said.
“The next stage of the Goyder Renewable Zone is another vote of confidence in South Australia’s economy and clean energy future.”
Neoen Australia Pacific CEO Jean-Christophe Cheylus said the start of construction was “another major milestone for our flagship Goyder Renewables Zone”.
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