Early works commence on SEC Delburn Wind Farm

The first sod has been turned to signal the beginning of early works on Victoria’s first publicly owned wind generation project near the Latrobe Valley. 

The SEC Delburn Wind Farm will have 33 turbines supplied by Vestas, with a generating capacity of about 205MW – enough to supply renewable power to more than 130,000 homes. Vestas has also signed a 30-year service contract for when the project is built. 

Moreover, Vestas will work with Victorian contractor Delta Group and internationally renowned RES to lead construction management services on behalf of SEC. 

“We’re delivering cheaper power and local jobs by backing in renewable energy near the Latrobe Valley, with the SEC once again investing in publicly owned generation that puts downward pressure on power prices,” Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said. 

Construction will commence in March. SEC alongside its delivery partners will be hosting information sessions in February where community members and Gippsland-based businesses can learn more about the project construction activities as well as associated supplier opportunities. 

The Latrobe Valley has a highly skilled local workforce with decades of energy generation expertise and an established transmission network ready to connect renewable energy to the grid. 

SEC Delburn Wind Farm is also set to bring significant local economic benefits, including over 300 local jobs as well as more than $22 million in neighbour and community benefit sharing programs over the wind farm’s operational life. 

The SEC is on track to delivering 4.5GW of renewable energy and storage by 2035, with more than 1GW of projects including 819MW of solar and battery storage at the SEC Renewable Energy Park in Horsham and the operational Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub near Melton. 

“This project shows exactly why we brought the SEC back – to invest in renewable energy that delivers real benefits for Victorians, helps lower power prices and keeps generation in public hands. 

“Delburn Wind Farm is a step forward for renewable energy in Gippsland, creating local jobs and securing reliable, affordable power while marking the SEC’s return to power generation in the region for the first time in 30 years,” Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio said. 

“The SEC Delburn Wind Farm is an important project for Victoria and will play a critical role in bolstering our electricity network as more coal assets retire in the coming years. 

“We’re looking forward to engaging with the Gippsland community on the many exciting work and supplier opportunities that the project will offer. 

“SEC is moving at pace and well on track to achieving its mandate to deliver 4.5 gigawatts of renewable energy and storage by 2035,” SEC CEO Chris Miller said. 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; SEC Victoria (1, 2); Renew Economy