Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 4 hrs ago
Victoria approves state plans for Southern Hemisphere’s largest wind farm
Victoria has given its final state approval to the proposed Warracknabeal Energy Park in the state’s wheat belt.
Developer WestWind Energy wants to build 219 turbines and two battery systems on farmland west of Warracknabeal and north of Horsham.
The project is planned to generate 1.5 gigawatts of renewable power, enough for 1.2 million homes, which would make it the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere.
The state assessment received supportive comments about jobs and community development, as well as concerns about the landscape, housing and wildlife.
Construction is expected to create close to 950 jobs, and landowner Craig Henderson says the project could help sustain the town and its services.
Federal environmental checks are the next step before the project can proceed.
Victoria has granted its final state approval for the proposed Warracknabeal Energy Park, clearing the way for federal review.
The project, proposed by WestWind Energy, would include 219 turbines across 26,000 hectares of farmland in north-western Victoria.
The developer says the park would generate 1.5 gigawatts of renewable energy, enough to power 1.2 million homes.
Two battery energy storage systems, each with a capacity of 300 megawatts, are also planned.
Community submissions raised both support for jobs and development and concerns about visual impacts, housing and local wildlife.
- Who
- WestWind Energy proposes the Warracknabeal Energy Park. Victoria Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny granted the final state approval.
- What
- Victoria approved the project at the state level. It now goes to the federal environment minister for final checks.
- When
- The approval was signed off during the week of 14 October 2026.
- Where
- The proposed site is in Victoria’s wheat belt, just west of Warracknabeal and north of Horsham.
- Why
- The approval clears the last required Victorian planning step. The developer says the project would provide renewable energy for 1.2 million homes.
Project supporters
Project concerns
Project impacts
Project supporters
Thirty community submissions were generally positive about social impacts, jobs, community development, sustainability and population growth.
Project concerns
A similar number of submissions raised concerns about visual amenity, pressure on housing and worker accommodation, and effects on local flora and fauna.
The Environment Effects Statement process for the wind farm began.
The project’s environmental impact report was approved.
Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny signed off on the final required Victorian approval.
The project is to go to the federal environment minister for final checks.
- Proposed turbines
- 219
- Project area
- 26,000 hectares of farmland
- Planned battery systems
- Two, each with a capacity of 300 megawatts
- Proposed energy capacity
- 1.5 gigawatts
- Homes powered
- 1.2 million, according to the developer
What people are saying
The two stipulations I had were: it needed to be symmetrically laid out for the way we farm and commercially viable.
It's about making it a more livable town for services and community
It may not be a silver bullet, but it's the best option we've got at the moment and the best option we've had for decades to help sustain these communities.