Ark Energy (renewable energy company) has handed over the St Patricks Plains Wind Farm in Tasmania's Central Highlands region to Vestas Development Australia, marking the conclusion of an eight-year development and approvals process and setting the stage for construction to begin in the first half of 2027.

Project Background and Approvals

The St Patricks Plains Wind Farm was originally developed by renewable developer Epuron before Ark Energy's development team took on the project. Over eight years of planning and environmental approvals, the project navigated multiple regulatory processes before reaching the point of handover.

The project received approval from the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in September 2025, following an appeal against the planning permit issued by Central Highlands Council in July 2024.

Commonwealth approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 was granted by the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in December 2025. St Patricks Plains Wind Farm was Ark Energy's first project in Tasmania to secure approvals.

Project Scale and Design Evolution

The approved project is a wind farm of up to 47 wind turbines with a generation capacity of up to 300 MW, along with ancillary infrastructure. The facility is expected to produce enough electricity to power approximately 131,000 average-sized Australian households per year.

The project's layout underwent significant revision over its development period. Beginning with an initial configuration of 67 wind turbines, the design was reduced to a final layout of up to 47 turbines.

Ark Energy attributed these changes to findings from eagle utilisation and environmental surveys, technical studies, and community feedback gathered throughout the development process.

Environmental and Community Commitments

The project includes a series of environmental and social commitments that were developed over the course of the approvals process. These include the installation of what Ark Energy described as industry-leading curtailment technology designed to protect eagles, a Neighbour Benefit Program, and significant community benefit funding to run for the life of the project.

Community engagement has been a feature of the project's history. In 2022, the project was the subject of a petition of support from local residents who expressed support for the environmental, economic, and community benefits they expected the wind farm to deliver.

Statements from Ark Energy

Donna Bolton, Ark Energy's General Manager Development for Tasmania, described the handover as a significant milestone for the company and for the state.

"Handing the project over to the company that will take it to the next stage of development is an exciting moment for Ark Energy, the St Patricks Plains Wind Farm and for Tasmania," Bolton said. "

This comes at a time when more generation is needed for Tasmania. We are proud of the work done to secure approvals for this significant wind energy generation facility for the state. We know the jobs and investment expected to flow into local businesses and services is highly anticipated."

Bolton also expressed confidence in Vestas as the incoming owner. "Vestas has a deep relationship with Tasmania and we are confident it will be a good neighbour and deliver meaningful benefits to the local community and wider region as the project moves forward to construction," she said.

Bolton also paid tribute to those involved in the development process. "We sincerely thank the project's landowners, neighbours and community members for their support and involvement over the past eight years and throughout the project's planning and approvals. The local planning and environment specialists we have worked with are amongst the best in Australia," she said.

Next Steps and Timeline

The project is set to continue working through its consent conditions, which include geotechnical engineering and detailed design and management plans. Construction is targeted to commence in the first half of 2027, with the wind farm expected to be operational in 2030.

Powering Your Pipeline: Stay Ahead of Australia's Energy Project Boom

The Australian power sector is expanding at a pace that leaves little room for missed opportunities; new capacity targets, grid modernization drives, and renewable energy mandates are reshaping the competitive landscape faster than ever before.

For developers, contractors, and investors operating across this dynamic region, the challenge isn't just finding projects; it's having the right intelligence at the right time to act decisively. That's exactly what the Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research is built to deliver.

From early-stage development through to completion, the GPT platform gives you a comprehensive, continuously updated view of the Australian power project landscape, so your business development and procurement teams are always working from the most current data available.

• Upcoming Projects

• Tender Notices

• Contract Awards

• Projects Under Construction

• Completed Projects

See how the Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research can sharpen your strategy across Australia's power sector. Book a Free Demo with our team today.