Stockyard Hill Wind Farm

Wind farm in Victoria, Australia

37°32′9″S 143°15′5″E / 37.53583°S 143.25139°E / -37.53583; 143.25139StatusOperationalConstruction beganMay 2018Owner(s)Palisade Investment Partners Limited (49%)
Nebras Power (49%)
Goldwind Australia (2%)Operator(s)Goldwind AustraliaWind farm TypeOnshoreHub height110 metresRotor diameter140 metresPower generation Units operational149 × 3.57 MWMake and modelGoldwind GW140-3.57MWNameplate capacity530 MWCapacity factor40.9% (projected)Annual net output1900 GWh (projected)External linksWebsitewww.stockyardhillwindfarm.com.au

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Stockyard Hill Wind Farm is a wind farm project in Victoria (Australia).^[1] In October 2022 the project completed its hold point tests, and was approved by the Australian Energy Market Operator and Network Services Provider to generate up to its maximum capacity of 511MW into the National Electricity Market.

The development was initiated by Windpower Australia and bought by Origin Energy. In May 2017, Origin sold the development to Goldwind Australia for A$110 million and signed a power purchase agreement to buy the electricity and Renewable Energy Certificates for less than A$60/MWh.^[2]

The facility consists of 149 approved wind turbines at a site approximately 35km west of Ballarat between Beaufort and Skipton.^[3] The forecast cost is A$900 million (US$750 million)^[4] In December 2009, the original plan for 242 turbines, the plan was changed to only have 157 turbines. The Victorian minister of planning approved the 157 turbines, in October 2010.^[5]

In 2013 Origin contemplated selling the project before production would have begun, but decided to continue the project.^[6]

Construction commenced in May 2018 on a design that has 149 wind turbines.^[7] The final turbine installation occurred in December 2020 and operations began in July 2021. The Goldwind 3S turbines have a capacity of 3.57 MW,^[8]^[9] with a hub height of 110 metres,^[7] tip height of 180 metres,^[7] and rotor diameter of 140 metres.^[8] The farm is projected to generate 1900 GWh of energy annually,^[10] at a corresponding capacity factor of about 40.9%. It will power approximately 425,000 homes annually.^[11] Origin Energy has a power purchase agreement to buy all electricity until 2030.^[5]

References

^ "NPIM acquires stake in Australia's Stockyard Hill Wind Farm". www.power-technology.com. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
^ "Origin adds 530 MW of renewable energy to its portfolio; Sets new benchmark for renewable PPA pricing" (PDF) (Press release). Origin Energy. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
^ McLennan, Chris (21 February 2014). "Stockyard Hill wind farm to go ahead, Origin Energy says".
^ "Origin shelves wind farm, pending review". Climate Spectator. 21 February 2014.
^ ^a ^b "Stockyard Hill Wind Farm". Origin.
^ Paton, James (15 January 2013). "Origin drops sale of Stockyard". Bloomberg.
^ ^a ^b ^c "FACTS SHEET" (PDF). Retrieved 19 October 2021.
^ ^a ^b "GW140-3.57MW" (PDF). Retrieved 19 October 2021.
^ "3S PMDD – Goldwind Australia". Retrieved 18 October 2021.
^ "Application to amend the Wind Energy Facility Planning Permit" (PDF). Retrieved 19 October 2021.
^ Howl, Nadia (25 July 2021). "Stockyard Hill Wind Farm a step closer to operation". Energy Source & Distribution. Retrieved 16 November 2021.